The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs will investigate the cause of a 30m scaffold collapse that killed 14 workers in Ha Tinh Province, with surviving workers saying they were ordered to continue working despite the structure shaking before it fell.
Nguyen Doan Duc, one of the survivors at Ky Anh General Hospital, said they were working while the scaffold suddenly shook and tilted to one side.
"I saw many people run to the emergency exit, but I couldn't comprehend what was happening," Duc said. "Then our leader gave the safe signal and directed people to return to work. A few minutes later, the whole thing collapsed, pulling us down. I was lucky to not be trapped under the steel."
Another worker, Dinh Minh Dan said, "We were working at about 20m when the scaffold shook. I heard a loud noise, the sound of metal crashing. I tried to hold on to a beam and heard many people calling for help. The next thing I knew I was in hospital."
Doctor checks on Dinh Minh Dan's injuries
Phan Van Xu, another survivor in Ha Tinh General Hospital said they were panicked when the scaffold shook but received orders to return to work. When the scaffold collapsed, he tried to cling onto a beam at a height of 25 metres. "I thought I'd die for sure. I can't believe I'm still alive," he said.
Phan Van Xu survives the incident
Representatives of Samsung T&C, the labour supply company on the project, said it would pay VND30m to the families of each of the killed workers.
The deputy minister of labours, invalids and social affairs, Doan Mau Diep, will lead a team to Ha Tinh Province to investigate the incident and report to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. The ministry will provide VND150m in support for injured workers and families of the dead.
Dung has asked local authorities, the ministries of Public Security and Health, and other agencies to quickly search for trapped workers and support the victims.
Collapsed scaffold
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. 14 have been confirmed dead.
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.
