Initial preliminary reports from Phu Tho province show that 10 cars, 2 motorbikes and 13 people were swept away.
The Deputy Prime Minister directed forces to block both ends of the bridge and use nets to search for people who fell into the river.
However, the province reported that the current rescue solution is facing difficulties due to the strong currents that make it impossible to immediately send people and vehicles down. The Prime Minister has sent a telegram to the Ministry of National Defense and the Public Security to mobilize forces to carry out the rescue.
Phu Tho province leaders said that this is the main traffic route so it needs to be repaired and restored immediately. The province proposed using emergency funds to implement the bridge renovation and the Ministry of Transport will have to do this within 1 year. In the immediate future, to facilitate people's travel, a pontoon bridge will be used.
In another development, at noon on September 9, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung - Vice Chairman of Tam Nong District People's Committee informed that the authorities had rescued 3 people in the Phong Chau bridge collapse and taken them to the emergency room.
According to the leader of Tam Nong District People's Committee, some people swam after falling into the river and were rescued by authorities.
According to Tam Nong District Medical Center, about an hour after the bridge collapsed, 3 people were brought to the center, including 1 person with a leg injury, 2 people are now walking normally. Currently, all 3 people are still being monitored and treated at Tam Nong District Medical Center.
According to the representative of the People's Committee of Phung Nguyen commune, Lam Thao district, at the time of the incident, the water level of the Red River was very high, flowing rapidly and there were vehicles on the bridge.
Chairman of Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee Bui Van Quang and leaders of the provincial police were present at the scene. The functional forces deployed measures to overcome the consequences of the bridge collapse.
Phu Tho Provincial Police also announced traffic diversion after Phong Chau Bridge (Km18+300, National Highway 32C) collapsed.
