As the river level gradually decreased, rescue teams gained access to areas that had previously been too dangerous.
Divers examined submerged vehicles and sections of the collapsed bridge.
Specialized equipment was brought in to support recovery operations.
The process required extreme caution because large steel components could shift or move unexpectedly.
A damaged vehicle might also be trapped beneath other debris.
Rescuers needed to avoid creating additional hazards while attempting to reach possible victims.
The operation continued over multiple days, demonstrating that recovering people and vehicles from a flooded river can be far more complicated than responding to an ordinary road accident.
An emotional burden for families
For relatives of missing people, the rescue operation became a period of extraordinary uncertainty.
Families waited for information, hoping that their loved ones might be found alive.
Some traveled to the area to speak with officials or provide identifying information.
Others remained in contact with hospitals and emergency services.
The uncertainty surrounding the missing victims was particularly difficult because the river continued to move debris downstream.
Every new discovery brought hope of an answer, but it also carried the possibility of heartbreaking news.
The rescue teams were therefore working not only against difficult environmental conditions but also against the emotional weight of families waiting nearby.
A coordinated effort across agencies
The response involved cooperation between provincial authorities, military units, police, medical services, and specialized rescue personnel.
Such coordination is essential during large-scale disasters.
No single organization can manage every aspect of a complex bridge collapse.
Military divers may have specialized underwater capabilities, while police can assist with identification and traffic control.
Medical teams provide treatment, and local authorities coordinate information and support for affected families.
The Phong Chau operation demonstrated how these different responsibilities must come together during an emergency.
Although the river made the work extremely difficult, the determination of rescue personnel and local communities remained central to the response.
Chapter 4: The Human Cost, Transportation Disruption, and Long Search for Missing Victims
The collapse of Phong Chau Bridge affected far more than the people who were directly on the structure when it failed.
It disrupted daily life across surrounding communities and created a transportation problem for thousands of residents.
The bridge had connected two important districts.
When two of its main spans disappeared, people suddenly needed alternative ways to travel between areas that had previously been connected by a familiar road.
At the same time, families were still waiting for information about missing relatives.
The initial reports created confusion
In the first hours following the collapse, information about the number of victims changed as authorities gathered details.
Some early media reports mentioned 10 cars and two motorcycles falling into the river.
The Vietnamese Government's official preliminary statement, however, identified ten vehicles in total: one truck, two tractor-trailer trucks, six motorcycles, and one electric motorcycle.
The initial official estimate identified eight missing people and three injured survivors who had been taken to medical facilities.
These figures were preliminary and subject to verification.
This explains why different reports published during the first hours sometimes contained different numbers.
The important distinction is that the number of vehicles, the number of people aboard them, and the number of missing victims were not necessarily identical.
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Families needed reliable information
Identifying missing people was one of the most sensitive responsibilities following the accident.
Authorities had to compare witness accounts, information from relatives, vehicle records, and other available evidence.
Some families could identify the motorcycles or cars believed to have fallen into the river.
Others needed assistance determining whether their relatives had been rescued or transported to medical facilities.
This process required careful communication because inaccurate information could cause additional distress.
The authorities also needed to distinguish confirmed information from preliminary estimates.
In a disaster involving fast-moving floodwater, it is not always possible to establish immediately where every person or vehicle has gone.
The search continued as conditions improved
As flood levels changed, the search operation entered different stages.
Initially, the powerful current and high water made underwater work especially dangerous.
Later, when conditions improved, divers and recovery teams were able to investigate additional sections.
Specialized equipment helped locate and retrieve submerged vehicles.
The operation continued for weeks.
Reports published in October 2024 described the deployment of hundreds of personnel and additional equipment to search for victims and recover vehicles.
By the end of that month, local authorities announced the conclusion of the intensive search operation.
Three people had been rescued, four bodies had been recovered, and four people remained missing according to the reported figures at that stage.
The final outcome showed just how difficult it had been to locate everyone involved in the collapse.
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Transportation was interrupted
The collapse also removed an important crossing from the local transportation network.
People who normally used Phong Chau Bridge needed to find alternative routes.
This created additional travel time and inconvenience for residents, workers, students, and businesses.
Commercial vehicles also had to adjust their routes.
For communities that relied on the bridge for everyday movement, the disruption was significant.
A bridge is not simply a physical structure.
It connects schools, workplaces, medical services, markets, and families.
When it disappears, the effects spread through the surrounding economy.
A temporary pontoon bridge provided an alternative
One of the urgent priorities was restoring some form of crossing.
Authorities considered temporary transportation solutions, including a pontoon bridge.
Military engineering units subsequently worked to establish a temporary crossing to help residents travel between the two sides of the river.
The pontoon bridge offered an important alternative while plans for permanent reconstruction were being developed.
However, temporary crossings require careful monitoring.
Water levels, current speed, weather conditions, and operational restrictions can affect their safety.
Residents must follow official instructions regarding opening times, vehicle restrictions, and closures.
The importance of supporting affected families
Beyond transportation and infrastructure, the disaster created long-term emotional and financial difficulties.