Bridge failures can involve multiple interacting conditions.
These may include foundation stability, structural deterioration, hydraulic forces, debris impact, and the condition of individual components.
Why steel bridges face particular challenges
Phong Chau Bridge used a steel-truss structure.
Steel-truss bridges are widely used because their interconnected members can efficiently distribute loads.
However, their safety depends on the condition of individual structural components and the supporting foundations.
A failure in a critical support can affect the stability of an entire section.
When one pier loses its ability to support the bridge, the loads previously carried by that pier must be redistributed.
If the surrounding structure cannot accommodate those forces, sections may collapse.
In a flood disaster, this process can happen extremely quickly.
The water itself may also conceal damage to foundations until the situation becomes critical.
The importance of bridge inspections
Regular inspection is an essential part of infrastructure management.
Engineers examine structural members, connections, foundations, drainage systems, and other components to identify potential problems.
Bridges crossing major rivers require particular attention because their foundations can be affected by changing water conditions.
Inspections should consider both visible deterioration and hidden risks beneath the water.
In addition, monitoring river levels can help authorities identify periods when bridge structures may be exposed to unusual hydraulic forces.
Where necessary, officials can impose temporary weight restrictions or close a bridge before conditions become dangerous.
The warning signs of extreme flooding
The collapse also illustrated why flood warnings must be taken seriously.
When river levels rise rapidly, roads and bridges that appear usable may become unsafe.
Residents should never attempt to cross flooded infrastructure simply because vehicles are still moving through the area.
The strength of moving water is often underestimated.
Even relatively shallow floodwater can sweep away vehicles under the right conditions.
Debris hidden beneath muddy water can also create additional dangers.
Emergency authorities therefore need clear procedures for closing vulnerable bridges and communicating alternative routes.
Lessons for infrastructure planning
The disaster raised important questions about the resilience of transportation networks in flood-prone regions.
Infrastructure planning must account for extreme weather, not simply ordinary operating conditions.
Engineers need reliable information about historical flood levels, changing river channels, sediment movement, and structural performance.
New bridge projects should incorporate appropriate hydraulic assessments and design standards.
Existing structures may also require upgrades where their foundations or supporting systems are vulnerable.
The collapse of Phong Chau Bridge demonstrated that infrastructure safety is not determined only by the visible condition of a road or bridge deck.
What happens beneath the water can be just as important.
Chapter 3: The Desperate Search and Rescue Operation in the Red River
When the bridge collapsed, the emergency response began almost immediately.
Authorities understood that people might still be trapped beneath the fallen structure or struggling to survive in the powerful current.
However, reaching the victims would not be easy.
The river was dangerously high, the water was muddy, and large pieces of steel and other debris had fallen into the water.
Every passing hour increased the urgency of the operation.
Emergency teams mobilized
Police, military personnel, firefighters, medical workers, and local residents joined the response.
Boats were deployed along the river, while rescue teams examined the remaining bridge structure and surrounding banks.
Government leaders also arrived at the scene to coordinate the emergency response.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh instructed relevant ministries and local authorities to mobilize necessary resources for search and rescue.
The immediate priorities were to locate missing people, provide medical assistance to survivors, secure the damaged bridge, and prevent further accidents.
Authorities also restricted access to the remaining structure because additional sections could potentially collapse.
The river made every search more difficult
The Red River presented a particularly challenging environment.
Floodwater had turned the river brown and significantly reduced underwater visibility.
Strong currents made it difficult for divers to remain in position.
Floating debris could also endanger rescue boats and personnel.
Search teams therefore needed to coordinate carefully before entering potentially dangerous areas.
They examined sections of the river downstream, inspected debris near the banks, and searched around the remaining bridge supports.
Underwater operations required specialized equipment and experienced personnel.
Divers had to navigate among damaged steel structures, submerged vehicles, and accumulated debris.
Even when rescuers identified a possible search location, reaching it safely could take considerable time.
The courage of the survivors
Among the early accounts was the experience of Phan Truong Son, a motorcyclist who survived after falling into the river.
He recalled hearing a loud noise before he and his motorcycle plunged into the water.
Once submerged, he struggled to reach the surface.
Using his remaining strength, he managed to grab a floating banana tree and stay above water.
People nearby eventually helped rescue him.
He was taken for medical treatment with soft-tissue injuries.
His experience demonstrated how unpredictable survival could be during the disaster.
Some people were able to find floating objects or reach parts of the damaged structure.
Others disappeared into the powerful current before rescuers could reach them.
Another survivor, Nguyen Minh Hai, described falling with his motorcycle and passenger onto a section of the bridge structure.
He and his companion managed to call for help and were eventually rescued by local residents.
Their accounts highlighted the importance of immediate assistance from people near the disaster site.
Local residents became part of the rescue effort
In the immediate aftermath, people living near the river played an important role.
Some helped identify missing relatives.
Others provided information about vehicles and individuals who might have been crossing the bridge.
Residents also assisted emergency personnel by sharing observations and directing responders toward potentially important locations.
In disasters involving moving water, witnesses can provide valuable information about where people or vehicles may have been carried.
Authorities encouraged the public to provide photographs, videos, and other information that could assist identification efforts.