A bridge in the central province of Khanh Hoa has become dilapidated to the point where it is a serious risk to the community who use it.
Built in 1991, the bridge in Ba Cang Village, Khanh Hiep Commune, Khanh Vinh District, is now just a thin plank crossing Cho River.
Despite the danger, the people of Ba Cang have no choice but to use the bridge, as it is the only way to cross the river.
Much of the bridge was built using the branches of the particular tree called lo o (Bambusa procera), which are held together with wires. When repairs are needed, locals often replace the old branches with new ones. But a number of large gaps remain.
Cao Minh Tuan, Chairman of Khanh Hiep Commune, said, “I’m extremely worried about the safety of the community. We want to build a new bridge, but we simply lack funds. The bridge has been the cause of many accidents and injuries. Still villagers have no choice but to use it.”
Ba Cang Village has 194 households, most whom belong to the ethnic minorities Raglai, Ede, Tay, Nung and T’rin.
In a previous report Dantri/DTiNews brought attention to another bridge crossing the same river, in Khanh Binh Commune. A suspension bridge, built in 2007, is also in terrible condition. Many planks of the bridge have rotted and many are now completely missing. There are gaps as long as 2 metres long.
Below are pictures taken of the bridge in Ba Cang Village in Khanh Hoa:
