A bridge in Vietnam Mekong Delta collapses 14 days after inauguration

May 29, 2015 | 09:14

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A reinforced concrete bridge spanning over the 28th canal in Long An Province in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam collapsed yesterday after it was put in use for 14 days.

The VND2.5 billion (US$115,000) bridge, which is for motorbikes and pedestrians only, is on provincial road 831 in Vinh Binh Commune of Vinh Hung District.

Nguyen Van Chinh, vice director of the Long An Transport Department, said the bridge with the loading capacity of one ton was invested by the People’s Committee of Vinh Binh with the financial contribution from locals of VND500 million ($23,000).

It was inaugurated and put in use on May 13 to replace a ferry.

On May 26, some cracks began appearing at the foundation of a pillar of the bridge. It collapsed in the following day, soon after local authorities blocked it for attempts of repair.

The collapse was due to the slide of a foundation of one of the pillars of the bridge, said Chinh.

Investigation into the collapse is underway.

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