Major Bridge Collapse in Vietnam

Major Bridge Collapse in Vietnam

www.saigontimes.com.vn

At least 52 local workers had been reported killed, some 97 injured and about 70 others missing or feared dead by last night after part of a bridge under construction in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho collapsed in the morning.

The bodies of the deceased were taken to four hospitals in the city while the 97 injured people were receiving intensive medical care and treatment.

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Related News Links:
www.iol.co.za
english.vietnamnet.vn
www.thanhniennews.com

Mod Edit: Removed copy/paste over the 500 character limit.

[edit on 27-9-2007 by UM_Gazz]

Why haven't we heard of this in the U.S. Media.?You would think that after the bridge collaspe in Minneapolis, there would be a bigger focus on similar disasters. This collapse occured two days ago,and it appears to be far worse than Minneapolis.

Another fact worth mentioning. This bridge was still under constrcution, and being heavily funded by the U.S. and Japanese government. Here is a snippet form veitnamnews.vnanet concernign the funding. This was posted on September 8, 2004


The Government has approved a US$218 million bid by a Japanese joint venture to build a bridge over the Hau River (Posterior Mekong) linking Vinh Long Province with Can Tho City.

The long-awaited Can Tho bridge’s main span and approach ramps – the major works – will be built in 50 months, according to the Transport Ministry.

Construction will begin in the fourth quarter of 2004, an official from the Can Tho people’s committee said.

The bridge will be 2.7km long, including the main span and approach ramps, and 24.9m wide. Approach roads measuring 12.63km will bring the bridge’s total length to 15.35km. A cable-braced structure made of steel-reinforced concrete on caisson piers, it will allow 15,000 DWT-sized ships with a maximum clearance of 39m to pass under.

The construction was previously intended to start in June before being rescheduled because of continuing cost negotiations, said the Ministry of Transport-owned My Thuan Bridge Project, the Can Tho Project investors.

Funds to build the bridge will come from the Japan Bank of International Co-operation (JBIC) and the Vietnamese Government’s counter-capital.

Once complete, the six-lane structure will provide a much-needed alternative for vehicles that depend on ferries to cross the river. According to the transportation ministry, ferries now carry some 20,000 vehicles, 87,000 passengers and 13,000 tonnes of cargo daily.





www.saigontimes.com.vn
(visit the link for the full news article)