On October 23, the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue (PCTT&TKCN) which is also the Provincial Civil Defense Steering Committee issued Document No. 363/BCH-CQTT to the Chairman of the Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee requesting to end the search for the missing victims of Phong Chau bridge.
According to the document, immediately after the Phong Chau bridge collapse, the Provincial Military Command (PPC) established two command posts at the scene to direct search and rescue missions... coordinating with other forces to find four missing people, with four bodies still unaccounted for.
Along with that, in coordination with the Department of Transport and other forces, Hoa Nam private enterprise organized the dismantling and salvage of collapsed Phong Chau bridge components and submerged vehicles in the Red River...
After Phu Tho requested support from the Ministry of National Defence, on September 30, 2024, Brigade 126/Navy with 40 soldiers and equipment coordinated with the Provincial Military Command to search for the missing victims.
As a result, from October 1 to October 22, 66 people have searched from the bridge to the downstream of the Red River, marking 25 locations, discovering 2 bridge trusses N6, N7; diving to search locations requested by relatives of the missing from Phong Chau bridge to Van Lang bridge 10 times. Currently, due to the large amount of mud, sand, and trash in the Phong Chau bridge area, fast-flowing water, limited visibility due to turbid river water, and a lot of alluvium, the search for the missing people is difficult and ineffective.
From the above situation, the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control, which is also the Provincial Civil Defense Steering Committee, respectfully requests the Provincial People's Committee to consider ending the search for missing victims in the Phong Chau bridge area from October 24, allowing the forces of the Provincial Military Command, Brigade 126/Navy and other forces to return to their units to carry out their tasks.
Along with that, the Department of Transport is assigned to preside over the dismantling and salvaging of the remaining part of the N7 bridge and the dismantling and salvaging of the N6 bridge and the vehicles submerged in the river...; coordinate with Brigade 249/Engineering Corps, Lam Thao and Tam Nong districts to maintain the operation of the pontoon bridge and Phong Chau ferry to ensure absolute safety and serve the people's travel.
