In the past 2 days, people in Hoang Xa 2 residential group, Ai Quoc ward, Hai Phong city have reported that Dong Trang stone bridge, located in the Trang field pumping station area, has been stolen some stone components by thieves. The incident quickly spread on social networks and attracted the attention of many people.
Immediately after receiving the information, functional agencies were present at the scene to inspect and verify the incident. Ai Quoc Ward Police are coordinating with the Criminal Police Department of Hai Phong City Police to investigate the incident.
On June 17, in an exchange with Lao Dong newspaper, Mr. Tran Nam Duan - Head of Hoang Xa 2 residential group (Ai Quoc ward, Hai Phong city) said that the incident occurred on the night of June 15 when thieves used a crane to steal 4 spans of Dong Trang stone bridge.
According to Mr. Duan, each bridge span consists of 3 green stone slabs assembled together, about 1.5m wide and weighing about 100kg each, so the movement must use specialized vehicles.
Immediately after discovering the incident, the residential group reported to the People's Committee of Ai Quoc Ward, the Department of Culture and the police agency. Currently, functional forces are investigating and clarifying the incident.
Mr. Tran Nam Duan said: "These are all ancient stone slabs of historical and architectural value of Dong Trang stone bridge. The theft of components makes local people very upset and regretful.
The Dong Trang stone bridge area used to belong to Hoang Xa village, Quyet Thang commune, Thanh Ha district (old), now belonging to Ai Quoc ward, Hai Phong city.
According to local documents, Dong Trang stone bridge was built in the 19th century, spanning the Dong Dung River flowing into the Perfume River. The bridge is 13.5m long, 1.6m wide, with a rainbow architecture with 9 spans, each span consisting of 4 blue stone slabs assembled together.
In 2013, when deploying site clearance to implement the 390 road expansion project, local people proposed to maintain the current status of the bridge instead of demolition. Currently, the bridge is no longer in use and the value of the lost stone components has not been determined.
