All-out search for missing workers at Rao Trang 3 Hydropower Plant

Manh Hung• DNUM_BJZBAZCACA 21:00

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of October 19, a working delegation of the Military Region 4 Command, led by Major General Ha Tho Binh, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Military Region 4, went to the landslide area at the Rao Trang 3 hydropower construction site, where 15 workers were missing, to urgently search and rescue.

Since last evening, rescue forces have reached the scene where 15 workers are missing, the areaRao Trang 3 Hydropower Plantand 4 still have rain. The road to Rao Trang 3 hydropower plant from the waterway direction is seriously eroded. In many places, entire hills collapsed, causing landslides and traffic jams. In particular, near where we went up to the riverbank, a section of road about 10m long completely collapsed, cutting off the only road from Rao Trang 4 to Rao Trang 3.

Major General Ha Tho Binh directly surveyed the landslide site. Photo: Manh Hung

Rao Trang 3 Hydropower Plant construction site was leveled. Photo: Manh Hung

In addition to the serious landslides, there are also dangerous spillways with fast-flowing water. Along with that, long-term heavy rain has formed many strong-flowing streams that have cut off many places. Some remaining workers have used excavators, scoops, and bulldozers that are still in operation to level and remove rocks and soil torescue forceapproach the scene

Present at the scene, we witnessed a large section of the mountain above slide down, covering the entire construction site and a long stretch of Highway 71, dragging the entire area down to the edge of the Rao Trang River.

At the scene of the buried bulldozer. Photo: Manh Hung

According to Captain Vuong Dinh Tue - Deputy Captain of Company 10, Battalion 4, Engineer Brigade 414, the estimated volume of earth and rock is more than 40,000m3.³. The surviving workers said the camp was at the foot of the mountain, inside Highway 71. Many machines, cranes, excavators, and bulldozers of the construction site were destroyed.

Currently, along with approaching the scene by river from Rao Trang 4 to survey the scene and provide food for the trapped workers, forces of Military Region 4 are actively clearing landslides on Highway 71 from Phong Xuan and Phong Dien communes toSub-region 67 Forest Ranger Stationto Rao Trang 4 and Rao Trang 3 hydropower plants to bring forces, vehicles, and specialized equipment in time to search for victims.

Ccả mảng núi lớn đổ ấp xuống công trường

A large section of mountain collapsed onto the construction site. Photo: Manh Hung

Major General Ha Tho Binh said that the rescue work is currently very difficult. Therefore, the Military Region 4 Command has established a “forward command post” at Rao Trang 4 Hydropower Plant to directly command the search for the missing workers.

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thang, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Thua Thien Hue Military Command, said that currently, workers are using available vehicles at the Rao Trang 4 and Rao Trang 3 hydropower construction sites, along with forces from the Military Region, Thua Thien Hue Provincial Police, and other functional forces, clearing the road from Rao Trang 4 to Rao Trang 3 hydropower plants and searching for missing workers at the scene.

Scene near the edge of Rao Trang River. Photo: Manh Hung

In addition, continue to mobilize forces and vehicles to quickly repair the road from Phong Xuan and Phong Dien communes to the Sub-region 67 Ranger Station to Rao Trang 3 Hydropower Plant. After clearing the road, concentrate on motor vehicles, especially excavators, bulldozers, and bulldozers in coordination with specialized forces such as: Engineers; Gathering Team 192, Provincial Military Command; Rescue Team, Provincial Police... to search.missing worker. Along with that, ensure smooth communication system to serve command and coordination work and ensure good logistics for rescue forces and workers present at the scene.

bộ đội khẩn trương tìm kiếm công nhân mất tích

Soldiers urgently search for missing workers under piles of rubble. Photo: Manh Hung

At the scene, there were still some machines still operating, ready to clear the rocks and soil. Many oil drums from the non-landslide location were also brought up by trucks, providing supplies for the search. Many officers and soldiers from the armed forces units of Military Region 4, equipped with hammocks, parachutes, and adequate food, were deployed to search for the 15 missing workers.

Previously, many people familiar with the terrain of the forest and Rao Trang River, upon hearing that the working group was going to survey, volunteered to guide the soldiers to find a way to approach the landslide area.

When I heard that some workers had an accident here, I temporarily put aside my family's work and volunteered to come here to drive the boat to take the rescue team from Rao Trang 4 Hydropower Plant to Rao Trang 3 Hydropower Plant, just hoping to find the missing people.

Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, Huong Binh commune, Huong Thuy town, works as a ferryman on the Bo River.

Carefully removing each rock to find the person. Photo: Manh Hung

It is known that currently, Road 71 is still seriously eroded, with many large rocks blocking the road, and the work of clearing the landslide is still taking place very urgently. Together with the armed forces of the Military Region, the Command of the Signal Corps and the Viettel Military Telecommunications Group have sent reinforcement teams to the landslide scene to connect communications from the outside to the scene.

thiếu tướng hà thọ bình báo cáo phương án cứu nạn với lãnh đạo Bộ TTT

Major General Ha Tho Binh reports the rescue plan to the leaders of the General Staff. Photo: Manh Hung

At the forward command post at Rao Trang 4 Hydropower Plant, Major General Ha Tho Binh reported to the leaders of the General Staff: “The officers and soldiers of the armed forces of Military Region 4 are making every effort to search for the missing workers, not afraid of difficulties or hardships. In command, the Military Region Command thoroughly understands the motto of prioritizing safety work, while effectively implementing the most optimal search and rescue plans.”