On the morning of 26/8, the Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police, collaborating with Hoang Son communal authorities, deployed a high-capacity vessel and other equipment, including towing ropes, to free two sand dredgers trapped under the Tao river bridge near Ha Binh village.

After more than one hour of operation, by nearly 10h, the two vessels were successfully pulled from the bridge piers and secured at a safe mooring location.

The two vessels, over 40 m long, were trapped between the Tao river bridge piers. *Photo: Lam Son*

Le Trong Hoa, Vice Chairman of the Hoang Son communal People's Committee, stated that at around 7h on 25/8, authorities found two sand dredgers drifting and trapped between bridge piers 7 and 8. The vessels obstructed the main current of the Tao river.

At the time of the incident, the river was swollen and flowing rapidly due to heavy rainfall in Thanh Hoa over recent days. Local authorities inspected the scene and reported to relevant agencies to devise a plan for removing the vessels and mitigating any potential impact on bridge safety.

A large cargo ship was deployed to tow the two drifting vessels from their trapped position. *Photo: Lam Son*

Investigations revealed that the two vessels belong to an enterprise in Hac Thanh ward and had been inactive for an extended period. Authorities had previously attempted to start the engines to move the vessels, but the effort failed as the engines were non-operational.

Relevant agencies are inspecting the site to assess the impact of the vessels' collision with the bridge piers. The extent of the damage remains undetermined.

The Tao river bridge spans the Tao river, a tributary of the Ma river, connecting Hoang Son and Hoang Hoa communes. The bridge is part of the old National Highway 1 bypass, a route with heavy daily traffic.

Le Hoang