On 7/9, through court mediation, the parents of the victim, surnamed Zhao, reached an agreement with the Linqing City Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, Shandong province. The agency agreed to pay a one-time compensation of 1,2 million yuan (4,6 billion VND) by 10/9.

The incident occurred on the morning of 24/7, when Zhao, 22, was visiting his hospitalized grandmother. His family transported him to Xianfeng Bridge by electric motorbike, but due to the uneven path, they let him walk across the bridge. As Zhao was walking, a bridge plank suddenly collapsed, causing him to fall into the river. His body was found about 4 km downstream from the accident site.

Xianfeng Bridge, constructed in 1958 and designed by the Ministry of Transport and Soviet experts, was recognized as a provincial cultural relic in 2013. However, due to years of deterioration, the bridge has only allowed pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles since 1992. Despite numerous calls for repair and reinforcement in recent years, no action was taken. Notably, three months before the incident, several departments and agencies in Linqing City had held a special coordination meeting to address safety risks at Xianfeng Bridge.

Following their son's death, Zhao's parents filed a lawsuit at the Linqing City People's Court. According to the court's mediation document, the lawsuit was accepted and resolved under a simplified procedure. The plaintiffs argued that the defendants, as owners, managers, and maintainers of the bridge in Linqing City, were responsible for ensuring traffic safety and should bear full liability for compensation.

The parties then voluntarily mediated, leading to the agreement. The Linqing City Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau agreed to pay the victim's family 1,2 million yuan by 10/9 as compensation for damages, with court fees borne by the defendant.

The bridge was a great source of local pride when it was first inaugurated. *Photo: China Quiao*

Construction of Xianfeng Bridge began in 1958, making it China's first large reinforced concrete arch bridge with hangers. The name "Xianfeng" (Pioneer) was intended to mark the country's pioneering role in bridge construction technology at the time. Initially, the bridge was 168,3 m long. In 1974, due to the widening of the riverbed, China's Ministry of Water Resources extended the structure towards the west bank, in Hebei, increasing its total length to 579,6 m. Upon completion, the bridge was a great source of local pride; the Linqing Tobacco Factory even produced a cigarette brand named "Xianfeng Bridge" to commemorate the event.

Hai Thu (According to The Paper, Sohu)