Hanoi authorities have asked local construction firms and project managers to have stronger measures to assure safety and security at all ongoing construction sites around the city.

Rescue activities are still going on at the construction site of Roc Sen Bridge in Phu Loi Commune of Dong Thap Province's Thanh Binh District to bring the 10-year-old kid back to his family. Photo: Huu Tuan/The Hanoi Times

Assigned by the Hanoi People’s Committee under Document 69/UBND-DT dated January 9, 2023, municipal departments, construction project management units, and district-level authorities, the Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board must enhance the supervision of all local construction and investment projects to prevent potential accidents.

Hanoi authorities have also requested on-site units to ensure 100% safety and security for the ongoing construction places.

The construction site management unit must install signs and notices of danger, provide protective gear for workers and employees, prevent unauthorized persons from entering the construction area, and prevent accidents, particularly around high points and deep holes.

The latest action of the Hanoi authorities aims to minimize the chance of incidents similar to the case in the southern province of Dong Thap, in which a 10-year-old fell and got stuck into a 35-meter-deep concrete pillar.

On December 31, 2022, a group of four kids entered the Roc Sen Bridge construction site in Thanh Binh District’s Phu Loi Commune of Dong Thap Province. The kids wanted to collect some mental craps to sell for extra money.

Among the four kids, a 10-year-old boy suddenly fell into a 35-meter-deep hollow shaft. The management unit of the construction site immediately called for assistance to look and pull the boy out.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh immediately sent a request to Dong Thap provincial People’s Committee and several ministries to seek professional advice and technical support to speed up possible solutions to save the kid.

Despite endless efforts, the rescue teams were unable to save the kid. He was announced dead on January 4 – five days after the date of the incident.

According to the provincial authorities, the rescue has encountered difficulties regarding geology, technology, and heavy rains. The case is also the first ever in the world, so Dong Thap provincial authorities and rescue teams have had no experiences and lessons to deal with.

As of January 11, the body of the 10-year-old kid has still stuck in the shaft. Rescue efforts are still being executed.

After the incident, Dong Thap Province saw another construction site-related accident as a seven-year-old boy put his left arm in an active concrete mixer.

After the incidents, provinces and cities across Vietnam have requested all construction sites to strengthen and assure their security and safety standards to avoid the same cases from occurrence.