On November 16th, progress was made in the case of the truck (license plate 68C-112.10) that caused the collapse of the T6 bridge connecting Vinh Phuoc commune and Ba Chuc town, Tri Ton district, An Giang province. Authorities successfully retrieved the truck, which is now impounded for investigation and legal processing.
To recover the truck, Tri Ton district mobilized heavy-duty specialized rescue equipment. The salvage process faced difficulties due to the truck’s position and damage. Images from the scene show significant damage to the front of the truck, with the engine compartment and undercarriage exposed, illustrating the impact of the collapse.
Damaged truck being retrieved from the collapsed bridge site in An Giang
The truck involved was a large vehicle, commonly referred to as a “four-leg” truck due to its four drive axles. These trucks are designed for transporting heavy goods over long distances. This incident underscores the ongoing concern of overloaded vehicles on roads, particularly in rural areas with limited infrastructure.
The Chairman of the Tri Ton District People’s Committee stated that the district police investigation agency has been directed to expedite necessary legal procedures. The goal is to solidify the case, initiate legal proceedings, and prosecute those responsible for the overloaded truck causing the T6 bridge collapse. This demonstrates a commitment to strictly addressing violations and ensuring traffic safety and social order in the area.
Official inspecting the damaged bridge structure
In parallel with the investigation, Tri Ton district is actively implementing measures to address the aftermath of the bridge collapse. A temporary bridge is being rapidly constructed to restore traffic flow for residents. The abutments on both sides have been completed, and the temporary bridge is expected to be finished within a week, helping local residents quickly resume normal life and commerce.
The T6 bridge is a vital transportation route for Vinh Phuoc commune. To minimize disruption to residents’ lives and travel during the recovery, the District’s Department of Economics and Infrastructure has proposed that the District People’s Committee provide funding to Vinh Phuoc commune to quickly install a temporary bridge. The temporary bridge is located approximately 10 to 20 meters from the collapsed bridge, ensuring passage for two-wheeled vehicles and pedestrians.
Map showing location of collapsed bridge and proposed temporary bridge
The T6 bridge collapse occurred at approximately 7:30 AM on November 13th. Preliminary information indicates that the driver, Doan Duc Vinh (28 years old, residing in Can Tho), was driving truck license plate 68C-112.10 carrying bricks from Binh Duong to the Giang Thanh border gate (Kien Giang) for delivery to Cambodia. As the truck traveled across the T6 bridge from Ba Chuc town towards Vinh Phuoc commune, the middle span of the bridge unexpectedly collapsed, causing the truck to fall into the canal. Fortunately, the driver was able to escape safely.
The collapsed section of the T6 bridge with the truck partially submerged
The T6 bridge was built in 2009, with a steel structure, 42 meters long, 3.2 meters wide, and had a load limit sign of 5 tons. However, inspection revealed that the truck with license plate 68C-112.10 weighed 10.32 tons empty, plus approximately 30 tons of bricks, far exceeding the bridge’s permitted load. The initial cause is attributed to the overloaded truck exceeding the T6 bridge’s load capacity.
The T6 bridge collapse not only caused damage to transportation infrastructure but also impacted the lives of local residents. Quickly retrieving the truck, conducting an investigation, and building a temporary bridge are necessary steps to address the consequences and ensure traffic safety in the area.
