At around 10am on September 9, Phong Chau Bridge, which spans the Red River in Phu Tho Province, suddenly collapsed and was carried away by the strong currents.

The incident occurred quickly, leaving no time for vehicles or pedestrians to react.

According to Mr. Tran Hoai Giang, Director of the Phu Tho Department of Transport, the full extent of the damage to people and property has not yet been assessed due to ongoing rescue operations.

Witness Trieu Ngoc Thu reported: “As I approached the bridge, it started shaking and then fell into the river. The collapse was so swift that within a minute, the bridge was gone and swept away.”

Phu Tho Police are mobilizing all available resources to address the aftermath of the collapse. The Prime Minister has dispatched Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, along with leaders from the Ministries of Defense, Public Security, Transport, and the National Committee for Disaster Response and Search and Rescue, to oversee and coordinate the recovery efforts.

At noon, Thieu Thi Hoa from Van Xuan in Tam Nong shared her experience: “I had just crossed the bridge when I heard a loud crash. Looking back, I saw the bridge collapse, and vehicles, including motorbikes and cars, fell into the river and were quickly carried away. The river was flowing so fast that I was terrified and had to pull over.”

The Traffic Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security has dispatched a team to the scene and is coordinating with local authorities to manage traffic flow, close roads, and facilitate rescue and recovery operations.

The collapse of Phong Chau Bridge has caused significant disruption and damage. Rescue teams are working to find any missing persons and assess the full impact of the disaster. As floodwaters remain high, the situation is fluid, and authorities are urging the public to stay clear of the affected area.