Crane collapse causes death: What do authorities say?

(Baonghean.vn) - Representatives of the authorities in Vinh city all acknowledged that the crane collapse that caused the death of a student at Le Viet Thuat High School was extremely serious. This incident needs to be investigated, clarified, and strictly handled.

Mr. Nguyen Hoai An - Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee:“If there are sufficient elements, we will prosecute…”

Mr. Nguyen Hoai An said: "The crane collapse that led to the death of a student is very serious. Currently, the police are investigating and clarifying the cause. Through the investigation process, if it is discovered that the investor has committed illegal acts that lead to serious consequences, with sufficient elements, then prosecution will be initiated...".

According to Mr. Nguyen Hoai An, through the initial inspection results, it was determined that the project had the following procedures: construction planning, construction drawing design appraisal, fire prevention and fighting appraisal... but had not yet been granted a construction permit. Regarding the cause, the initial assessment of the tower crane collapse was due to subsidence of the tower crane foundation to one side and due to the crane being installed on the tower column without installing an anti-overturn anchor, causing the tower crane foundation to overturn.

Regarding the responsibility of relevant authorities, Mr. Nguyen Hoai An said: The main responsibility for this heartbreaking incident lies with the investor and contractor. They did not ensure labor safety in implementing the project. However, the agencies involved in construction order management must also acknowledge their responsibilities, especially towards the local ward authorities.

According to regulations, if an organization or individual is found to be carrying out construction without permission, the ward authority has full authority according to the law. That is, to suspend construction and handle administrative violations; in cases exceeding authority, it must be responsible for reporting to higher authorities. Here, Truong Thi ward discovered the case, made a record... but then did not report it to the city for investigation.

Mr. Nguyen Tat Thien - Chairman of Truong Thi Ward People's Committee:“Investors ignore local authorities”

According to Mr. Nguyen Tat Thien - Chairman of Truong Thi Ward People's Committee, the ward had discovered many violations by Truong Thanh Company during the construction process. Along with many complaints from the people, the ward People's Committee had issued a document requesting Truong Thanh Company to provide full legal documents before continuing the construction.

"However, it is very difficult for ward officials to approach the company director to resolve the issue. The meetings and discussions only take place with the representative, who is the former Party Secretary of the ward. Because of the relationship with the former leader of the ward, the ward's order officers also have respect. As for the attitude of higher-ranking people in Truong Thanh company, they completely ignore the local government," said Mr. Nguyen Tat Thien.

Mr. Thien also admitted that the ward had made a mistake in not reporting in writing to superiors but only communicating by phone. Mr. Thien said: “However, we have contacted the City Urban Order Management Team by phone, directly by comrade Nguyen Duy Hai - Head of the management team responsible for the area of ​​Truong Thi ward. Comrade Hai also went directly to the ward to work.”

Regarding the incident, Mr. Nguyen Tat Thien proposed: “The construction work is located in the ward but there are many issues that are beyond the authority of the ward People's Committee. We hope that the higher authorities will direct the project investors to strictly comply with the provisions of the law and have full licensing documents before implementation. In addition, these units must go through the ward People's Committee and cooperate with the ward when constructing in the area.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Hung - Head of Block 5, Truong Thi Ward (Vinh City):“The investor is very rude to the people…”

Representing residents of Block 5, Truong Thi Ward, Mr. Nguyen Minh Hung - Block Leader said: People knew that Truong Thanh Company Limited was implementing the apartment project since April 2016; however, they did not know about the legal documents and procedures.

Until early July 2016, this company had many construction activities causing environmental pollution, noise, overtime work... negatively affecting the residential area, so people had opinions. On the evening of July 25, 2016, the Ward People's Committee convened a meeting between the relevant parties. People had many opinions and the Ward leaders had a conclusion forcing them to fix the problems, but they did not comply. Even up to now, the investor has not yet measured, surveyed and evaluated the adjacent residential buildings to purchase insurance.

Regarding the tower crane, according to Mr. Hung, it was installed in October 2016. And right at that time, there were many disagreements because of the risk of safety. "Everyone opposed it" - Mr. Hung affirmed. At the same time, Mr. Hung said: "If the company wants to do the project, it must rely on the people. However, since Truong Thanh Company started construction here, it has caused a lot of anger among the people. The Director of Truong Thanh Company himself was very rude to the people...".

Regarding the crane collapse that caused the death of a student at Le Viet Thuat High School, according to Mr. Nguyen Minh Hung, people want the authorities to inspect and handle the case strictly according to regulations. At the same time, stop the construction of this project permanently.

GrandfatherPhan Thanh Son -Captain of Vinh City Urban Order Management Team:“Will ask local officials to make a report…”

Captain of the Vinh City Urban Order Management Team - Mr. Phan Thanh Son discussed that in ensuring construction order, if violations are detected, the Chairman of the Ward People's Committee is responsible for issuing a document requesting the suspension of construction.For handling violations beyond the authority of the Ward People's Committee, the Ward People's Committee must prepare a report to the City Urban Order Management Team and the City People's Committee.

However, after the heartbreaking incident on November 14, we learned that the Ward People's Committee had repeatedly reminded and recorded violations against Truong Thanh Company, but had not reported in writing to higher authorities. Thus, the Ward People's Committee has not fulfilled its responsibilities.

According to Mr. Son, in managing urban order, the Team has assigned the area teams, each team is in charge of 4-5 wards (communes). However, up to now, Mr. Son has just received information that Mr. Nguyen Duy Hai - an officer of the Team, in charge of Truong Thi ward, had coordinated with the local ward to inspect the project of Truong Thanh Company Limited.

Mr. Son said: “Before that, I had not received any information or reports. Obviously, this mistake was made by the local management team. We will clarify the responsibility of comrade Hai and ask him to clearly explain the incident…”.

Nhat Lan - Phuong Thao