The collapse of the Tan Nghia bridge in Dong Thap not only disrupted traffic but also posed significant challenges for the rescue of trapped trucks. This incident once again highlights the importance of thorough preparation and effective response in emergency situations, especially those involving trucks and critical transportation infrastructure.
Immediately after the Tan Nghia bridge collapse in Cao Lanh district, Dong Thap province, functional units quickly intervened to handle the situation. Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The issued an urgent directive, requesting the Dong Thap Provincial People’s Committee and the Department of Transport to closely coordinate in overcoming the incident, ensuring traffic safety, and carrying out rescue operations for affected vehicles. The top priority is to ensure absolute safety for people and vehicles, while quickly restoring traffic through the area.
The Ministry of Transport directed the Dong Thap Department of Transport and relevant units to urgently report the incident, coordinate with local authorities to handle it according to regulations. The rescue of trucks and three-wheeled vehicles that fell into the river was prioritized, along with measures to prevent further hazards. Temporary traffic arrangements and widespread announcements through media outlets were also immediately implemented to minimize the impact on people.
The Tan Nghia bridge, a vital transportation route connecting local communes, unexpectedly collapsed at its central span when a truck carrying dried cassava was passing over it. The incident caused the truck and a section of the bridge to fall into the Nguyen Van Tiep canal. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but traffic through the area was completely disrupted.
Scene of the Tan Nghia bridge collapse in Dong Thap, where truck rescue operations are being urgently carried out.
According to a quick report from the Dong Thap Provincial Traffic Safety Committee, the incident occurred at approximately 1:20 PM on May 31, 2019. The truck with license plate 78C-046.27, owned by Mr. Ho The Huu, had the driver unidentified at the time of the accident. The truck, carrying dried cassava and traveling from Tan Nghia commune to Gao Giong commune, caused the central span of the bridge to collapse. At the time of the collapse, a waterway vehicle was passing underneath and was trapped under the bridge, but fortunately, no one was injured.
The Tan Nghia bridge is 150m long, with the collapsed central Bailey beam span being 30m long. The bridge deck is 4.2m wide, with an operational load capacity of 8 tons. The bridge was invested in under the BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) form and completed in December 2007. Notably, just a few months before the incident, the bridge’s BOT toll station was repurchased and temporarily suspended operation after more than 11 years of toll collection.
The collapse of the Tan Nghia bridge not only caused traffic disruption but also posed a problem for truck rescue operations in riverine terrain. Rescuing a heavy truck from the river, especially with the risk of crane failure or other incidents during salvage, requires smooth coordination between rescue forces, the use of specialized equipment, and a plan to ensure absolute safety. The experience from this incident will be a valuable lesson for functional units to learn from, improve response capabilities, and enhance rescue operations in similar situations that may occur in the future.
