Investigation begins into Can Tho bridge collapse

The government has launched an official enquiry into the bridge collapse that killed 50 and injured 81 workers

Vietnamese police have begun an investigation into the cause of the collapse of an approach ramp leading to the Can Tho bridge, focusing their enquiry on three Japanese contractors, Taisei, Kajima and Nippon Steel.
The accident scene is being investigated for any violation of construction regulations and any firm found criminally liable will be prosecuted.
The two spans of the cable-stayed bridge were under construction when they suddenly collapsed on September 26th, killing more than 50 people and injuring 81 others.
Government officials held off the investigation until all victims were recovered.
Some experts have suggested that the collapse could have been caused by the sinking of a bridge pile. Local media also reported that Japanese engineer Hiroshi Kudo had been warned about faults in the structure by a consultant and supervision company three months ago.
However, the Ministry of Transport (MoT), the project investor, has said that contractors heeded the warning given to Kudo and worked to supplement and adjust construction in accordance with the advice.
The MoT has already put together a team of senior construction experts to investigate and identify the cause of the collapse, and have also hired an independent consultant to look into the accident as well.
The MoT has also asked Taisei, Nippon Steel and Kajima, as well as their consultant company, to independently assess the accident.
“We have some ideas about the cause of the collapse. However we have no solid answers. Getting to the bottom of what happened is the most important thing that we have to do after finishing rescue operations,” said Kanji Hayama, chairman of Taisei Corporation.
Minister of Transport Ho Nghia Dung said at a press conference that the contractors would be made responsible for the accident.
Duong Tuan Minh, general director of My Thuan Project Management Unit, the project investor’s representative, said the contract stipulated that contractors would be responsible for any damage caused if that was identified not investor’s fault.
Minh added that in a situation where the contractors failed to meet the construction deadline, they would be asked to pay about $300,000 per day.
The joint operator of Taisei-Kajima-Nippon Steel said last week that it would help support victims of the collapse by establishing two funds worth nearly $600,000. One would be used for urgent needs and the other would support the families of the victims in the long-term.
The construction of approach ramps and the bridge’s main span, a total length of nearly 16 kilometres, began in September 2004. Crossing the Hau River to link Can Tho and Vinh Long, the project was estimated to cost $302 million and funds were provided by Japanese official development assistance and the Vietnamese Government. It is scheduled to be complete in December, 2008.