Military ferries begin carrying people across the river to replace Phong Chau pontoon bridge

Major General Tran Trung Hoa, Commander of the Engineering Corps, along with relevant agencies and local leaders, inspected the 249th Engineering Brigade reinforcing ferries in preparation for transporting people across the river - Photo: ENGINEERING CORPS

Ensuring maximum safety when transporting people across the river.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , Colonel Nguyen Dang Chien, Head of the Propaganda Department of Brigade 249, Engineering Corps, said that on the afternoon of October 4th, engineering troops began transporting people across the river by military ferry after the Phong Chau pontoon bridge had to temporarily cease operation due to the strong current and unsafe conditions.

"Immediately after receiving instructions from General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, to study the use of military ferries to transport people across the river, the armed forces drew up a plan and made calculations."

After discussing and researching the safest options, the military decided to use three existing sections of the pontoon bridge, combined with a towing engine, to transport people across the river.

"At the same time, to ensure the utmost safety for the people, the forces have reinforced the railings and the connecting areas around the floating buoy," Mr. Chien added.

According to information from the Engineering Corps, a single military ferry trip across the river can carry approximately 30 civilians, along with bicycles and motorbikes.

At the same time, all passengers were provided with life jackets, and military boats accompanied the ferry to ensure safety.

Military engineers inspect and test the load capacity before transporting civilians across the military ferry - Photo: Military Engineering Corps

Authorities ensure the ferry's safety before it begins operation - Photo: Engineering Corps

Military ferries are being used from three sections of the previously existing temporary pontoon bridge (pictured) - Photo: Engineering Corps

The first ferries carrying people across the Red River were operated by military engineers - Photo: Engineering Corps

Military ferry transports people across the river near Phong Chau bridge - Photo: Engineering Corps

For the time being, only passengers and motorbikes will be transported.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Tam Nong District ( Phu Tho Province ), also said that to ensure safety and prevent traffic congestion when the military ferry transports people across the river, the District People's Committee will coordinate traffic control.

"The temporary military ferry will only transport civilians and motorbikes across the river to facilitate convenient travel for the people. We will be responsible for lane management and traffic control in this area," Mr. Hung added.

On October 3rd, at the September briefing of the Ministry of National Defense , General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, requested the Engineering Corps to assess the actual water flow situation and, when conditions permit, install pontoon bridges to serve the people's transportation needs.

While the pontoon bridge cannot be rebuilt due to the strong current of the Red River, the Engineering Corps, in coordination with forces from Military Region 2 and Phu Tho province, is studying the option of using military ferries to transport people and motorbikes across the river.

The search for those missing in the Phong Chau bridge collapse is currently ongoing.

Specifically, 30 divers (frogmen) from the 126th Special Forces Brigade (Navy) with specialized equipment are continuing the search at the previously marked locations.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/pha-quan-su-bat-dau-cho-nguoi-dan-qua-song-thay-cho-cau-phao-phong-chau-20241004140957147.htm