At around 6:00 p.m. today (October 1), Brigade 249, Engineering Corps had to open the Phong Chau pontoon bridge. Authorities temporarily closed the road and did not allow vehicles to get off the pontoon bridge.

The reason for having to open the pontoon bridge 4 hours earlier than the daily schedule (6am - 10pm) is because the water level of the Red River is rising, many trees and obstacles are stuck on the pontoon bridge, causing excessive pressure on the bridge.

According to Phu Tho Provincial Police, due to flood water from upstream, rising water level of the Red River, and high flow rate, Brigade 249 temporarily cut off the pontoon bridge from 6:00 p.m. this afternoon until further notice.

According to the original plan, Phong Chau pontoon bridge installed and completed by Engineering Brigade 249 will operate from 6am to 10pm daily.

Previously, at 6am yesterday, Phong Chau pontoon bridge was officially opened to traffic for vehicles to travel between the two banks of Tam Nong and Lam Thao districts.

Special forces 'frogmen' dive to find victims of Phong Chau bridge collapse

Special forces "frogmen" and many specialized vehicles dived into the river and searched around Phong Chau bridge area (Phu Tho province).

Phong Chau pontoon bridge after 90 minutes of installation

Engineer Brigade 249, Engineer Corps has completed the installation of the PMP 60T pontoon bridge across the Red River, about 400m downstream of the collapsed Phong Chau Bridge (Phu Tho province).