According to Saigon Railway Transport Joint Stock Company, Vietnam Railways Corporation will resume train operations across the bridge at 9 am, ending a four-day disruption on the North-South railway line.
The railway line across Ghenh Bridge is expected to reopen on the morning of March 11 (Photo: M.H.).
Following the incident, the Investigation Police Agency under Dong Nai Provincial Police launched criminal proceedings over violations of waterway traffic regulations.
Initial investigations showed that at about 10.17 am on March 6, Pham Thanh Binh, 26, from Ninh Binh Province, was operating the Thanh Dat 86 barge on the Dong Nai River.
While travelling downstream and approaching the railway crossing at Ghenh Bridge in Bien Hoa Ward, the barge collided with span No. 5, pier No. 2 of the bridge.
The impact warped part of the bridge structure and displaced the railway tracks, leaving the rails misaligned and forcing the suspension of train services through the area.
The railway sector estimated initial damage at more than VND 40 billion (about USD 1.56 million). Losses could rise to around VND 140 billion (about USD 5.47 million) if the disruption to train operations continued.
During the closure, Saigon Railway Transport Joint Stock Company arranged shuttle buses between Bien Hoa and Di An stations to transport passengers.
Several local train services, including the Saigon-Phan Thiet and Saigon-Nha Trang routes, were also temporarily suspended.
