Three Barges Swept Away by Floodwaters, Stranded at Railway Bridge

In Vietnam's central Quang Trị province, three barges were swept away by flash floods from heavy rains and became stranded after colliding with the piers of the Mỹ Chánh railway bridge. The incident poses a potential risk of damage to the bridge and jeopardizes train operation safety, prompting authorities to assess the situation and develop a removal plan. The accident occurred around 2 PM on September 13, when three barges belonging to a mineral mining company operating on the Ô Lâu River were carried away by floodwaters. The vessels struck the piers of the Mỹ Chánh railway bridge in the Nam Hải Lăng commune and became stuck. Trần Hữu Bắc, Chairman of the Nam Hải Lăng Commune People's Committee, stated that local authorities have reported the incident to the Provincial People's Committee and relevant agencies. A team of specialists is currently inspecting the site to evaluate the impact on the bridge and formulate a plan to remove the barges. According to the commune chairman, the floodwaters are flowing very strongly under the bridge. If the water level continues to rise, the combined weight of the barges and the force of the current could pose a danger to the structure, affecting train operations. Quảng Trị province experienced heavy rainfall from September 12 to 13 due to the influence of a tropical depression. Some mountainous areas recorded rainfall exceeding 500 mm within a 24-hour period. This deluge has caused widespread flooding and transportation disruptions in various areas. In Lao Bảo commune, 145 households with 470 people have been evacuated. National Highway 15D and several provincial roads have also been submerged, hindering traffic. The tropical depression was located offshore of Quảng Trị and Huế at 7 AM on September 13. It is forecast to move westward and make landfall in northern Hà Tĩnh and Quảng Trị provinces on September 14, subsequently weakening into a low-pressure area over central Laos. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the Thanh Hóa to Quảng Trị region on September 14. Source: VnExpress