At least 13 missing after bridge collapse in northern Vietnam

Phoc said the authorities are considering the option of constructing a pontoon bridge at this location to ensure traffic flow and restrict waterway traffic before discussing the construction of a new bridge.

Speaking to VnExpress, Lieutenant General Pham Duc Duyen, Political Commissar of Military Region 2, said the military has deployed multiple boats along the riverbanks to search for victims, rescuing three people so far.

It is coordinating with local police to deploy rescue boats. However, the strong and swift current is making recovery efforts challenging.

Rough water at the bridge collapse location, Sept. 9, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Chieu

"The number of deaths and missing persons is currently unaccounted for, as the camera footage does not clearly show how many people were in each vehicle," Duyen said.

One of the rescued, Phan Truong Son, a 50-year-old man of Huong Noi Commune, recounted that he was traveling on the road when he heard a loud noise. Before he could react, both he and his motorcycle plunged into the water. "It felt like falling to the bottom of the river," he said, adding that he used all his strength to swim to the surface but was so exhausted that he could barely breathe, thinking he might not survive.

Fortunately, he managed to grab onto a banana tree and was rescued by people on a nearby boat.

He is receiving treatment at Tam Nong Medical Center in the province with soft tissue injuries. He remains conscious but is still in shock. Two other rescued victims are currently undergoing scans and tests at the center.

Nguyen Minh Hai, 33, another rescued victim, said he was riding a motorbike with Bui Quy Trong, 33, sitting pillion, across the bridge when he noticed it started to shake. Just a second later, the bridge collapsed.

"We, along with the motorbike, fell into the river. By instinct, I held tightly onto the handlebars while Trong remained seated behind me," Hai said, adding that within 10 seconds, both of them landed on the bridge's abutment, lying on top of each other.

"The river's water level was high, and the current was stronger than I had ever seen. Luckily, we fell onto the abutment, so we survived and were able to call for help from the locals who pulled us up," Hai said.

Nguyen Minh Hai, waits to be pulled up after falling off the collapsing Phong Chau Bridge in Phu Tho Province, Sept. 9, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Nga

Trong said that when he heard a loud "boom" from behind, he didn't even have time to turn around before both of them and the motorbike plunged off the bridge. Right after, a container truck traveling in the opposite direction also fell and immediately got swept away by the strong current. "I thought I was going to die. But fortunately, our motorbike got caught on the bridge, about 4-5 meters away from the rushing water," Trong said.

Looking back at the bridge, Trong saw a large gap where the bridge had collapsed. The Red River's water was flowing fiercely, sweeping several vehicles away. A few minutes later, locals spotted Hai and Trong and called for help. Unable to find a rope, three or four people held onto each other and lowered themselves down to pull the two victims up.