As reported by Lao Dong Newspaper: On the morning of April 10, a truck carrying fertilizer driven by Dang Tuan Duy (48 years old, residing in Ward 3 Bao Loc, Lam Dong) was traveling from the Ho Chi Minh City Garden area of Village 4 to Da Hang Lang village (Bao Lam 4 commune).
When the vehicles crossed the bridge for people, the bridge suddenly collapsed, and the truck overturned into the stream. The incident did not cause any human casualties but caused the iron bridge to collapse completely on one side.
After the incident, the vehicles could not move back and forth. The authorities have conducted an investigation of the scene and clarified the cause of the incident.
The iron bridge is over 15m long and over 3m wide, and was built many years ago. The bridge crosses Da R'Klach stream, serving the travel and production needs of local people.
After the bridge collapsed, the authorities and people had to build temporary bridges to travel and transport agricultural products and goods.
It is worth mentioning that the bridge has collapsed for more than 8 months but the new bridge has not been built. Hundreds of households here still have to travel on the temporary, cramped bridge waiting for the new bridge.
According to Mr. Dieu Si Hoang - Head of Da Hang Lang village (Bao Lam 4 commune), the village has about 100 households, most of whom are Chau Ma ethnic minorities. People mainly make a living by farming, growing coffee and tea.
The collapse of the iron bridge has seriously affected people's travel and transportation of agricultural products, especially during the coffee harvest season. Currently, people are waiting every day for a new bridge to be built to ensure safety when traveling.
"To temporarily circulate, Da Hang Lang village has mobilized people to build a temporary bridge next to the collapsed iron bridge. The bridge is built with two wooden trees, the panels are very precarious, said Mr. Hoang.
In addition to about 100 households living in the village, there are currently about 300 households in other localities with coffee and tea gardens in this area that often have to cross Da R'Klach stream.
Mr. Tran Van Tu - a coffee garden owner in Da Hang Lang village - said that the temporary bridge is only for pedestrians and motorbikes. For vehicles transporting agricultural products and agricultural supplies to enter the village, they have to take a detour of about 15km.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tam - Chairman of Bao Lam 4 Commune People's Committee - said that in the past, people in Da Hang Lang village have repeatedly proposed building a new bridge to serve the needs of travel, transportation of agricultural products and fertilizers.
"The construction of the new bridge exceeds the commune's budget capacity, so the locality has submitted a document to all levels and sectors to request funding allocation. Currently, the need to build a new bridge is very urgent to ensure convenient and safe travel for people" - Mr. Tam said.
