The Ghenh bridge collapsed at noon on March 20 after a barge crashed into its pillar (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Transport on March 20 set up a special working group led by Deputy Minister Nguyen Ngoc Dong to deal with the collapse of Ghenh bridge, a key bridge on the North-South railway line.
The group will work from the scene to assess the damage to the bridge, investigate the cause of the incident and instruct measures to overcome the consequences, particularly ways to ensure land, railway and waterway transport.
Three Deputy Ministers of Transport, including Deputy Minister Nguyen Ngoc Dong have arrived at the site and are directing efforts to rescue victims and solve arising problems such as the blockage of train services on the route.
Ho Chi Minh City Police has sent two canoes and 30 soldiers to the site to help with search and rescue work, according to Colonel Le Tan Buu, head of HCM City firefighting department.
The Ghenh bridge across Dong Nai River in the southern province of Dong Nai, collapsed at noon on March 20 after a barge crashed into its pillar, making many people falling into the river.
It is not clear how many people have fallen into water and the search is still continuing.
Latest reports said four victims have been saved so far, and three motorbikes were fished out of the river.
As the bridge is on the North-South railway route, railway services have been stopped. Trains on the route now have to stop at Bien Hoa Station in Dong Nai province.
The Ghenh bridge was built more than 100 years ago and is being used for both railway and land transportation.-VNA
