Two spans of the Can Tho Bridge broke and collapsed on September 26, leaving 54 dead and 80 others injured.
At a press briefing Wednesday to announce the cause of collapse, the Ministry of Construction filed a report on the result of the eight-month probe into the disaster.
The sinking of the bridge’s makeshift foundation was pinpointed as the primary reason for the collapse, the report said.
The dipping phenomenon caused the bridge support to tumble, breaking two bridge spans, the report elaborated.
The report added the sinking of the foundation was an “unfortunate situation and hard to project in the design process.”
Minister of Construction Nguyen Hong Quan said the investor, design contractor, and consultant contractor would have to bear responsibility for the collapse.
A Japanese consortium of Taisei Corp., Kajima Corp. and Nippon Steel Corp. were in charge of Package 2 when the disaster occurred on the side of Can Tho City’s neighboring Vinh Long Province.
So far, contractors involved have paid damages to affected individuals and the family members of deceased victims, Quan said.
Further responsibilities, including possible criminal charges, would be taken into account after the formal conclusion of the investigation was issued.
Construction of the bridge had begun in September 2004 with official development assistance from Japan.
The US$300 million bridge was originally scheduled for completion this year.
Reported by Tuyet Nhung |
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