Investigation targets Can Tho disaster
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15 Oct 2007 - The cause of the collapse of a section of the Can Tho Bridge project is expected to be identified in one month, according to Construction Minister Nguyen Hong Quan, who is also the chairman of the National Investigation Committee on the bridge disaster.
Speaking at a press meeting in Can Tho on Friday, Quan said the committee members would assess the possible causes of the accident after technical figures and other evidence were collected.
He said the National Investigation Committee, which was approved by Prime Minister Dung on October 6, had been working for only a week but would attempt to meet the deadline imposed by the Prime Minister on identifying the reasons for the bridge collapse.
"This is a complex accident which caused serious consequences. Investigation is needed and must be urgently conducted," said Quan.
The press meeting was held shortly after a one-day meeting between the committee and Japanese contractors, the supervising consultants, and relevant authorities on Friday.
Quan said the contractors and supervising consultants had received a memo from Japanese engineer Hiroshi Kudo, a project supervisor and engineer with Nippon Koei, who said the temporary pile’s safety coefficient stood at merely 1.15 instead of 1.25 as required by international standards.
The consultants said they had agreed to the strengthening, according to Quan, adding that the contractors also showed a photo of the strengthened steel pole.
However, Quan said, more evidence and information would be collected.
Quan said the committee members would assess the accuracy of these documents and materials provided by the contractors.
He said the 10-member committee included legal experts and experts in building foundations, steel structures, concrete structures.
The National Investigation Committee includes Vietnamese officials and a representative from the Japanese Department of Bridge and Road Technology, who will both clarify the responsibilities of groups involved in the project and propose measures to repair and set the project on course again.
Sources, Authors:
Vietnam News Agency