Construction Minister Trinh Dinh Dung is leading an investigation into the cause of the collapse of a 30-metre-high scaffold in Ha Tinh Province, which killed 13 workers and injured another 28, saying it was a "wake-up call" for construction in Vietnam.
Construction Minister Trinh Dinh Dung visits injured worker
"Any violations will be dealt with immediately," Dung said of the scaffold collapse in Vung Ang Industrial Park on March 25. "This is a wake up call for us. Lives of workers are not to be taken lightly and we must tighten management work to ensure occupational safety."
Dung has summoned the managers, designers, engineers and work units that involved in the construction, but primary responsibility for the accident should fall on the investors and contractors.
"Occupational safety should not be ignored in lieu of progress, productivity or quick capital recovery," he said.
Collapsed scaffold
On March 26, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs reported that 13 workers had died and 28 injured, apparently because of an unstable hydraulic brake system on the scaffold, which was being constructed ahead of a concrete pour.
Dang Quoc Khanh, vice chairman of Ha Tinh People's Committee, said, "This is a serious accident that caused great consequences. If there is any evidence to prosecute the case, we will do it."
Investors in Taiwan’s Formosa steel complex, where the scaffold was being built, said the equipment involved had been mostly imported and in use for two years.
The 30-metre-high scaffold collapsed on the night of March 25 in Vung Ang Economic Zone. It was unclear how many workers were on the scaffold when it collapsed. However, some workers said about 100 people were at the site, with more than 40 on the scaffold itself.
Hundreds of soldiers, police, rescue force and doctors were mobilised to search for and treat survivors, with scores rushed to neighbouring hospitals with critical injuries. Surviving workers said they were ordered to continue working despite the structure shaking before it fell.
