Urgently fix the problem, rescue victims of the collapsed suspension bridge in Dien Bien

(Chinhphu.vn) - The incident at Pa Thom suspension bridge is another warning about the deterioration of traffic works in remote areas.

Pa Thom suspension bridge connecting Pa Xa Lao village to Huoi Moi and Pung Bon villages, Thanh Yen commune, had one side of the cable broken, the bridge overturned, causing a pickup truck to fall into the river.

On July 22, the Pa Xa Lao suspension bridge (also known as Pa Thom bridge) across the Nam Nua river (Thanh Yen commune, Dien Bien province) suddenly had its main cable on the right side broken, causing the bridge to collapse and become impassable. This bridge serves as a connection between Pa Xa Lao village and the villages of Pung Bon, Pa Thom, and Huoi Moi.

Pa Thom suspension bridge suddenly overturned while a pickup truck was passing through the bridge, causing the vehicles and 3 people in the car and 1 person driving a motorbike to fall into the Nam Nua River.

Immediately after the incident, people in Pa Xa Lao village called for help. Comrade Lo Van Tien, deputy head of Thanh Yen commune team and a local resident promptly swam out and rescued Le Xuan Trong, born in 1982, residing in group 9, Dien Bien Phu ward. Militiaman Lo Van Tinh and local resident Lo Van Phan rescued 1 person.

Victim health treatment

Major Ca Van Hoa, Chief of Thanh Yen Commune Police, said the pickup truck involved in the accident was carrying commune officials to inspect storm prevention work. The height from the suspension bridge to the river was about 6-7m. Among the victims, 2 people were suspected of having broken collarbones and were transferred to Dien Bien Provincial Hospital for examination and treatment.

According to doctors, all three patients were in a state of severe multiple trauma, with signs of pneumothorax, head injuries, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing.

In order to ensure timely treatment, Dien Bien Provincial General Hospital has urgently connected remote professional support with Viet Duc Friendship Hospital.

Of the three victims, patient LXT (43 years old, residing in Dien Bien Phu City) is considered the most serious, diagnosed with multiple traumatic shock, with a poor prognosis. This person will be urgently transferred to Hanoi for further intensive treatment at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital.

The two remaining victims include Mr. VBL (34 years old, residing in Dien Bien) with a closed chest injury and Ms. TKT (57 years old, from Ha Dong, Hanoi) with a head injury. Both are being monitored and treated on the spot with continuous professional support from Viet Duc Hospital.

Authorities on duty to guide people and vehicles

Urgent troubleshooting

Pa Thom suspension bridge is an important traffic route, serving the travel and production needs of more than 100 households in Pung Pon and Huoi Moi villages, along with many people who regularly cross the stream to work in the fields.

As soon as the incident occurred, Thanh Yen commune authorities promptly arrived at the scene, set up barriers, and inspected and assessed the current state of the suspension bridge to come up with a solution. Dien Bien Provincial Police arranged traffic police to set up warnings, direct traffic, and guide vehicles moving along the route across the iron bridge in the downstream area of Nam Nua River when passing through this area to ensure safety for people during the complicated storm season.

Arriving at the scene about 30 minutes after the incident, at 12 noon, more than 50 officers and soldiers of the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police of Dien Bien Province Police were still continuing to deploy plans to search and salvage the vehicle that fell into the river; meanwhile, the river water level in this area continued to rise, the current was strong, making search and rescue very difficult.

The incident at Pa Thom suspension bridge once again warns about the deterioration of transport infrastructure in remote areas, and the need for emergency response plans during the rainy and stormy season.

Phuong Lien

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/khan-truong-khac-phuc-su-co-ung-cuu-nan-nhan-vu-sap-cau-tréo-o-dien-bien-102250723104353102.htm