Ca Mau announces cause of Cai Doi Vam bridge collapse

After the Cai Doi Vam bridge collapse, authorities in Ca Mau province urgently resolved the incident, identified the cause, and reviewed the responsibilities of those involved.

On March 11, Mr. Du Minh Hung - Director of Ca Mau Department of Construction said that after more than 3 years of the Cai Doi Vam bridge collapse in Phu Tan district, the project has been opened to traffic and put into use.

Cai Doi Vam bridge collapse.jpg — Scene of the Cai Doi Vam bridge collapse on December 21, 2021. Photo: CL

According to Mr. Hung, the cause of the above incident was due to "the contractor's improper construction organization". Specifically, the contractor gathered a large amount of materials (sand, stone) next to the river bank. During the piling process, the above materials slid down the river, right at the bridge piling construction location. Due to the heavy load, the bridge piling sank deeply, causing the two middle spans to collapse.

"Because the work has not been accepted, the contractor must pay for the repairs themselves," the Director of the Department of Construction affirmed.

Determining responsibilities related to the incident, Mr. Hung said that the Provincial People's Committee reviewed the former Director of the Department of Transport Ho Hoan Tat and 1 deputy director in charge; Director of the Ca Mau Traffic Construction Project Management Board Phan Thanh Phuong and related officials.

“In addition to the investigation team chaired by the Department of Transport as assigned by the Provincial People's Committee, the case was also investigated by the Ministry of Public Security, then handed over to the Ca Mau Provincial Police. Currently, the police agency has not announced the investigation conclusion,” Mr. Hung informed.

The reporter requested access to a detailed report on the cause of the bridge collapse but received no response from the Director of the Ca Mau Department of Construction.

On the morning of December 21, 2021, a concrete bridge over 280m long and 6.5m wide across the Cai Doi Vam River in Phu Tan District was under construction when the main pillar sank, and the two middle spans collapsed into the water. Fortunately, the bridge collapse did not cause any casualties.

The project has an investment of over 70 billion VND from the provincial budget, with the Ca Mau Traffic Construction Project Management Board as the investor. The construction unit is TPM Group Joint Stock Company.