Drilling rig over 10 m collapses, causing prolonged congestion on canal-side road

A drilling rig working on the Xuyen Tam canal renovation project collapsed, blocking Bui Huu Nghia street. Authorities were forced to cordon off the scene, leading to extensive traffic congestion along the canal-side road.

Vehicles were backed up for many kilometers on Truong Sa street, alongside the Nhieu Loc canal, in Gia Dinh ward.

The incident occurred when a drilling rig for the Xuyen Tam canal renovation project on Bui Huu Nghia street collapsed onto the road, prompting authorities to cordon off the area.

A representative from the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Infrastructure Construction Investment Project Management Board stated that at approximately 16:15, a soil-cement deep mixing (CDM) machine, part of the Xuyen Tam canal renovation project, toppled onto Bui Huu Nghia street while being moved into the construction site for setup. This rig was one of 8 drilling units the contractor was adding to the project.

The initial cause was determined to be a broken turntable shaft on the vehicle, which led to the equipment falling towards Bui Huu Nghia street.

The multi-ton steel frame fell, blocking Bui Huu Nghia street and an alley alongside it. Several steel cables were scattered across the road. The incident caused no casualties. Units subsequently cordoned off the area and moved the equipment back to the construction site to ensure safety. As it occurred during rush hour, traffic in the area experienced severe congestion.

Vehicles were congested on Truong Sa street.

The incident occurred within the scope of construction package one, one of the largest packages in the Xuyen Tam canal infrastructure renovation and construction project. This package covers a section nearly 3 km long, extending from Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal to Bui Dinh Tuy bridge, and includes Cau Son canal, with a total value of approximately 1,160 billion VND.