Around 16:00 on 16/9, floodwaters from upstream caused the Hoi Nguyen River, near Yen Hoa commune, to rise rapidly and flow swiftly. A commune task force was using a motorboat to transport 10 individuals from the Trung Thang bridge area to the inner hamlets.
As the boat neared the riverbank, its stern became entangled in a rope connected to a pulley system, causing the vessel to tilt and then capsize. All 10 people fell into the water.
Wearing life jackets, the individuals floated to the surface and managed to hold onto the rope, preventing them from being swept away by the current. Police and soldiers on duty nearby immediately responded, reaching the group and bringing each person safely to shore.
Within about five minutes, all 10 people were rescued. The boat was also pulled from the approximately 20-meter-wide section of the river.
Mr. Dau Duc Truyen, Chairman of Yen Hoa commune People's Committee, stated that local authorities have temporarily suspended river crossings by boat due to the continued rise and strong flow of the water. For emergency or urgent situations, the commune will arrange alternative, safe transportation methods.
The Trung Thang bridge previously served as the main transportation route connecting the commune center with its inner hamlets. In 10/2025, the bridge was swept away by floods, isolating more than 300 households, totaling about 1,400 people. Local authorities subsequently erected a temporary bridge for residents and students to cross. However, this temporary structure was also damaged by floods in late 8/, necessitating the commune's task force to use boats for river crossings.
Due to the small size of the boats and their limited carrying capacity, travel has been difficult, especially during peak times. Once the water recedes, the commune plans to rebuild the temporary bridge to serve residents while awaiting the completion of the new Trung Thang bridge. The new bridge is currently under construction with an estimated cost of 34 billion VND.
Heavy rainfall over the past two days has caused widespread flooding in many areas of Nghe An, disrupting traffic. According to a report on the morning of 16/9, National Highway 48 was submerged by about 30 cm near Thai Hoa ward and 40 cm near Dong Hieu commune.
Across the province, 101 houses were flooded between 0,6 and two meters deep, and 45 households were evacuated to safe locations. Several residential areas and roads in Quynh Luu and Hoang Mai were also flooded 30-50 cm deep, forcing residents to reroute their travel.
