Survivors of northern Vietnam bridge collapse recount experience

Name: Survivors of northern Vietnam bridge collapse recount experience
Uploaded: 2024-09-09T19:22:18+07:00
Duration: 26 s
Description: Quy Trong and Minh Hai from northern Phu Tho province were crossing the province’s Phong Chau Bridge when it began shaking excessively and then suddenly collapsed, sending them into the river below on Monday morning.

By Thanh Nga, Quynh Nguyen September 9, 2024 | 04:22 am PT

Quy Trong and Minh Hai from northern Phu Tho province were crossing the province’s Phong Chau Bridge when it began shaking excessively and then suddenly collapsed, sending them into the river below on Monday morning.

Minh Hai (in blue shirt) is assisted to the shore by locals after the collapse of Phong Chau Bridge in Phu Tho province, northern Vietnam, on Sep. 9, 2024. Photo courtesy of Pham Nga

Trong, 33, recalled that it was just after 10 a.m. when he and Hai, his colleague, were crossing the Phong Chau Bridge as they were heading home from Lam Thao district. As they neared three-quarters of the way across, the bridge started shaking violently. Assuming it was due to a truck behind them, they continued forward.

"Seconds later, there was a loud bang from behind," Trong recounted. "Before I could look back, Hai and I, along with our motorcycle, were falling under the bridge."

He also witnessed a container truck, which was traveling in the opposite direction, falling to the water and being swept away by the river’s current.

"I thought I was about to die."

Both men and the motorcycle landed approximately 2-3 meters below the bridge and were trapped at the bridge’s base, around 4-5 meters from the flowing water. The bridge’s midsection had given way, creating a large gap, with the water below moving rapidly and sweeping away some vehicles.

Hai remembered sitting in shock with Trong, trembling and unable to speak. Locals soon came to their aid. With no ropes readily available, three to four people formed a human chain to descend to their location and helped them to safety.

Minh Hai (sitting, R) and Quy Trong (sitting, L) still in shock after being rescued by locals. Photo courtesy of NC

Following the rescue, Hai and Trong were taken to the province’s Tam Nong district medical center for first aid, where they were treated for minor scratches. Hai’s wife and two young children embraced him tightly, relieved after the harrowing event.

"We normally finish work around 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and we were heading home early today when this happened," Hai shared, expressing his hopes for the safety of others.

The Phu Tho Department of Transport reported that recent heavy rains and floods, triggered by Typhoon Yagi—this year’s most powerful storm in Asia, which made landfall on Vietnam’s northeastern coast on Saturday—caused the Red River’s water levels to rise. The fast-flowing currents altered the riverbed's topography around the bridge, causing a pier to collapse and bringing down two main spans of the bridge.

Preliminary reports estimate that 10 cars, two motorcycles, and 13 individuals were missing from the collapse. Four people, including Trong and Hai, were rescued.

Constructed in 1995, the Phong Chau Bridge was built with steel and prestressed reinforced concrete to support an 18-ton load capacity. It comprises eight spans, including the two 64-meter truss spans that collapsed, originally manufactured in Bulgaria.

Rescue operations are ongoing.