On 17/11, Lao Cai provincial police announced that the Investigation Police Agency had prosecuted Pham Khac Phuong, 59 years old and retired, along with Vu Tuan Anh, an official from the Lao Cai - Coc San Area Investment and Construction Project Management Board, and Cao Kim Cuong, director of Hung Manh Construction Consulting JSC. They face investigation for violating construction regulations causing serious consequences.

Police took Phuong and Tuan Anh into temporary custody, while they prohibited Cuong from leaving his place of residence.

In connection with the same case, police also prosecuted and temporarily detained Nguyen Thu Ha, an official from the Cam Duong Ward People's Committee, to investigate the charge of lack of responsibility causing serious consequences.

The defendants Phuong, Cuong, Tuan Anh, Ha (from left to right, top to bottom). Photo: Police provided

Initial investigation determined that contractors constructed the stone railing system incorrectly. This system, part of the project to improve the landscape along both banks of the Red River in Coc Leu Ward and Kim Tan Ward before their merger, failed to meet technical requirements and violated construction regulations.