An initial investigation has blamed Monday's deadly collapse of a bridge in the northwestern mountainous province of Lai Chau on sub-standard bolts anchoring bridge cables, said Transport Minister Dinh La Thang on February 28.
The accident killed eight people and injured 40 others. Officials report that the bridge collapsed when a funeral procession was crossing the suspension bridge, which connects Chu Va 8 Village to Chu Va 6 Village in Tam Duong District.
The bolts anchoring the bridge's cables were carelessly made, Thang told a Government meeting on February 28, adding that they were joined, instead of being completely founded, thus reducing their ability to support the weight of the structure.
According to the ministry's report, which was released on February 28, initial reports from the independent investigation team, which includes top construction experts, revealed that bolts anchoring cables along the side towards Chu Va 8 Village were broken, reducing the holding capacity of the main cable and causing the bridge to turn over, hurling victims to the ground.
A temporary wooden bridge, which has been built next to the collapsed one, was opened on February 28 for local residents. The 2-m-wide new bridge is able to allow for the passing of people and motorbikes.
The construction ministry has instructed the People's Committees of localities to check and assess the quality of all suspension bridges nationwide and tighten controls over the maintenance of these bridges.
Many suspension bridges were built between 10-20 years ago, or even longer, and have deteriorated, posing higher risks of collapsing.
The transport ministry is drawing up a plan to build more than 1,000 bridges in rural areas throughout the country, including 200 suspension bridges.-VNA
The accident killed eight people and injured 40 others. Officials report that the bridge collapsed when a funeral procession was crossing the suspension bridge, which connects Chu Va 8 Village to Chu Va 6 Village in Tam Duong District.
The bolts anchoring the bridge's cables were carelessly made, Thang told a Government meeting on February 28, adding that they were joined, instead of being completely founded, thus reducing their ability to support the weight of the structure.
According to the ministry's report, which was released on February 28, initial reports from the independent investigation team, which includes top construction experts, revealed that bolts anchoring cables along the side towards Chu Va 8 Village were broken, reducing the holding capacity of the main cable and causing the bridge to turn over, hurling victims to the ground.
A temporary wooden bridge, which has been built next to the collapsed one, was opened on February 28 for local residents. The 2-m-wide new bridge is able to allow for the passing of people and motorbikes.
The construction ministry has instructed the People's Committees of localities to check and assess the quality of all suspension bridges nationwide and tighten controls over the maintenance of these bridges.
Many suspension bridges were built between 10-20 years ago, or even longer, and have deteriorated, posing higher risks of collapsing.
The transport ministry is drawing up a plan to build more than 1,000 bridges in rural areas throughout the country, including 200 suspension bridges.-VNA
