Dien Bien: Heavy rain causes suspension bridge collapse, estimated damage of 1.2 billion VND

According to a quick report from the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue of Dien Bien province, the amount of rainfall measured at some automatic measuring stations in the area such as Tay Trang 57.4 mm, Na U 47.4 mm, Pa Thom 36 mm, Na Tau 31.8 mm, Lay Nua 23 mm... caused damage to State and People's property.

Rescuers are recovering a car due to a broken cable on the Pung Bon suspension bridge.

At about 8:30 a.m. on July 22, when a car and a motorbike were traveling across the Pa Xa Lao suspension bridge, the bridge connecting Pa Xa Lao village with Pung Bon, Pa Thom, and Huoi Moi villages (Thanh Yen commune), the main cable on the right side of the bridge suddenly broke, causing the bridge to tilt and collapse, and the vehicle and people fell into the stream.

The incident left two people with minor injuries and two seriously injured. The motorbike was pulled ashore, while the car was still in the stream. Total damage was initially estimated at about 1.2 billion VND.

Immediately after the incident, the local force of 17 people (12 soldiers, 5 police) promptly arrived at the scene, rescued all 4 victims and took them to the emergency room. Thanh Yen Commune People's Committee directed the functional forces to set up barriers, place warning signs, prohibit people and vehicles from passing through the broken bridge area; at the same time, temporarily divert traffic across the iron bridge about 800m from the incident location.

Currently, 30 officers and soldiers of the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police have been reinforced to the scene to salvage the car. Dien Bien Provincial General Hospital has sent highly specialized doctors, under the direct command of the Hospital Director, to focus on treating the seriously injured victims.

The leaders of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue of Dien Bien province have directed to urgently overcome the consequences, focus on rescuing the victims, and at the same time request the localities to urgently inspect and review weak bridges and temporary bridges, resolutely prohibit heavy-duty vehicles from crossing unsafe bridges. Arrange for people to be on duty and guide traffic at key points during storms.

The Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue proposed that the People's Committee of Dien Bien province consider and allocate funds to urgently repair and restore the Pa Xa Lao suspension bridge, ensuring traffic safety and serving the travel needs of local people.

According to Nhan Dan Newspaper

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/dien-bien-mua-lon-gay-sap-cau-treo-thiet-hai-uoc-tinh-1-2-ty-dong-postid422455.bbg