A barge with a loading capacity of 1,000 tonnes traveling across the Duong River crashed into a floating bridge today, causing major traffic problems in Hanoi.

The part of the bridge that got hit by the barge

Duong floating bridge, installed over Duong River a month ago to temporarily reduce the load on Duong Bridge, which is under repair, remains open from 5 am to 8 pm. During these hours, no water traffic is to be operated.

The incident occurred at 7 am this morning and came as a shock to drivers who rely on the bridge to commute. Traffic was completely paralysed after the incident.

Major Nguyen Van Chuyen, Deputy Commander of the 249th Sapper Brigade, recounted, “The large barge went crashed into the floating bridge during peak hours, when water-based vehicles aren’t permitted to travel on the river. Hundreds of vehicles were travelling on the bridge at the time.”

Chuyen went on to report, “Currently, the floating bridge is unable to operate and the traffic disruption will be prolonged for at least one day before it can be repaired. Traffic will have difficulties crossing the river to the other side, as one side of the Duong Bridge is still under repair."

According to our DTiNews reporter on the scene, parts of the floating bridge have been removed and taken to the south shore for repairs. The traffic flow through the bridge has been stopped completely.

It was reported that the barge that caused the accident is named the PT 1202 and due to its overloaded cargo, the vessel was swept away by strong currents. It then crashed into the floating bridge.

Dang Quang Thao, Deputy Chief Inspector of the Hanoi Department of Transportion, said that over 100 transport inspectors have been mobilised to work in coordination with the traffic police to guide vehicles out of the area.

Heavy rains have been falling and Duong River’s water level has risen. Meanwhile, engineers are attempting to repair the bridge as quickly as possible. Police have confiscated the barge that caused the accident for further investigation.

According the current emergency plan, vehicles coming from the north shore will have to go on the National Highway No.5 and Vang dyke to cross Duong River using Phu Dong Bridge. Vehicles coming from the south shore can travel on one operatoinal lane of Duong Bridge.

The crash also caused serious damage to a truck that was driving on the bridge from the north shore. The truck has now been lifted and moved from the bridge using a crane.

Engineers are repairing the bridge under heavy rain