On the afternoon of December 29, Ms. Tran Lan Phuong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Mang But commune (Kon Plong district, Kon Tum province) said that local authorities and people had successfully rescued the driver and assistant in a car that was swept away by floodwaters while passing through the Ko Chat culvert.

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The driver and the assistant were rescued safely, but the truck remained at the scene. Photo: Contributor

According to Ms. Phuong, due to heavy rain in recent days, water has flooded some culverts in the area, of which Ko Chat culvert is deeply flooded, causing traffic disruption.

At around 6:00 p.m. on December 28, a truck was traveling from Kon Plong district to Tu Mo Rong district. On board was driver Hoang Ngoc Ly (born in 1995) and assistant driver Le Van Hai (born in 1990), both residing in Kon Tum. Before the truck reached the middle of Ko Chat tunnel, it was swept away by water and tilted to one side.

At this time, the water rose higher and higher, flooding the cabin, forcing the driver and assistant to call for help.

Upon receiving the information, local authorities and people used ropes to help the two people get to shore safely after nearly 2 hours of rescue.

Also according to Ms. Phuong, on the morning of December 29, representatives of the Department of Transport and leaders of the Kon Tum Provincial Road Management Department arrived at the scene and directed the implementation of rescue plans, but were still unable to bring the crashed car to shore.

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Strong water flow pushed the truck far from its original position. Photo: Contributor

"Currently, the authorities, local authorities and people are dismantling the belongings on the car and then mobilizing excavators and construction vehicles to help pull it in," Ms. Phuong informed.

It is known that Ko Chat culvert is one of five culverts on the Ngoc Hoang (Kon Plong) – Tu Mo Rong route. This is the second time Ko Chat culvert has been deeply flooded, causing traffic disruption this year.