CÀ MAU — One of the two bridges connecting the mainland and Đá Bạc Island in the southernmost Cà Mau Province has been seriously damaged.

This is causing difficulties to tourists and residents on the island, said the local authority.

The People’s Committee of Khánh Bình Tây Commune said around 7am on February 2, a portion of the bridge, spanning 30m, collapsed by 10 centimetres, preventing vehicles and pedestrians from entering or leaving the island.

Nguyễn Quốc Đoàn, chairman of the commune’s People’s Committee, said the committee has sent a team to check the situation, give warning to vehicles and pedestrians and cover the damaged portion to ensure safety.

Đoàn attributes the damage to a collision of sea vessels.

He said the committee has reported the situation to the provincial authority so that it can come up with a repair plan for the bridge soon.

Đá Bạc Island is located in Khánh Bình Tây Commune in Trần Văn Thời District. It is located 480m from the mainland and has a natural area of ​6.34ha, consisting of three islands: Ông Ngộ Island, Hòn Đá Lẻ Island and Đá Bạc Island.

Of these, Đá Bạc Island is the highest, which is why people refer to all the islands together as Đá Bạc Island. It has a strategic position for national defence and security and facilitates marine economy and tourism for the province. — VNS