Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc: Build a pontoon bridge to temporarily replace Phong Chau bridge

After surveying the scene at the collapsed Phong Chau bridge, at noon on September 9.9, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc chaired a meeting at the Command Center to direct search and rescue work and incident response.

PHOTO: VGP

The Deputy Prime Minister requested an urgent review of the number of vehicles and victims. According to the report, there are currently about 5 cars, 2 motorbikes with about 10 people falling when the bridge collapsed. Of these, 3 people have been rescued. 2 people are in emergency care, 1 person has returned home.

Regarding traffic, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested that for Phong Chau bridge, the road must be blocked with a hard fence, signs must be placed, and vehicles must be on duty to prevent them from entering.

At the same time, make warning signs and guide detours for vehicles traveling on the route to know.

Regarding search and rescue, we will initially search the shore, and when conditions permit, we will search for people and vehicles.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc also proposed the province Phu Tho và Ủy ban MTTQ tỉnh tập trung cứu chữa, động viên người bị nạn và thân nhân. Tổ chức di dời dân khi lũ lụt dâng cao, đảm bảo an toàn tuyệt đối về mọi mặt; kịp thời báo cáo lãnh đạo Goverment khi có vấn đề xảy ra.

Giao Ministry of National Defense, directly Military Region 2 builds the earliest and best pontoon bridge to ensure traffic; presides over search and rescue work, suitable to weather conditions.

Ông cũng yêu cầu MOT đánh giá nguyên nhân sập cầu; nghiên cứu xây dựng cầu mới bảo đảm vững chắc, lâu bền.

PHOTO: TRAN CUONG

In addition, Phu Tho province assigned groups of officials to assess areas at risk of flooding and evacuate people immediately to minimize damage. They focused on proposing rice and equipment (boats, generators) to submit to the Government for consideration and decision.

Previously, regarding information related to the bridge collapse, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Xuan Sang reported that Phong Chau bridge is the lifeline of this area.

He suggested that the Government consider funding to arrange repairs like the Ghenh Bridge (railway bridge) that collapsed previously so that a new bridge can be built immediately. The Ministry of Transport will be responsible for developing a technical plan for the new bridge.

With a temporary relocation plan, he proposed building a pontoon bridge for vehicles moving on the route.

According to the report of Phu Tho Department of Transport, Phong Chau bridge was handed over and put into operation in 1995. The bridge underwent two repairs in 2 and 2013, and in 2019 Phong Chau bridge will continue to undergo minor repairs.