A bridge in northern Vietnam has tragically collapsed following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yagi, resulting in the plunge of 10 cars and two scooters into the Red River, according to Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc.
Currently, at least three individuals have been rescued while 13 remain unaccounted for after the Phong Chau bridge in Phu Tho province fell. The status of any fatalities is still uncertain.
Despite part of the 375-meter structure still standing, military authorities have been tasked with the urgent construction of a pontoon bridge to facilitate rescue operations.
Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Asia this year, has claimed over 60 lives since it struck Vietnam on Saturday, unleashing ferocious winds topping 203 km/h (126 mph).
In the aftermath, the storm has caused extensive damage across northern Vietnam, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reporting at least 44 casualties from landslides and flash floods, including a 68-year-old woman, a one-year-old boy, and a newborn.
More than 240 individuals are reported injured, and approximately 1.5 million people are currently without electricity due to widespread power outages. The storm has also ripped roofs off buildings and uprooted trees.
Although Yagi has diminished into a tropical depression, officials warn of further flooding and potential landslides as the storm continues its westward path. In Yen Bai province, floodwaters rose to one meter (three feet) on Monday, prompting the evacuation of 2,400 families to safer ground.
The typhoon has also caused significant distress at sea, capsizing numerous fishing boats. Search and rescue teams have located 27 individuals adrift after reports of missing fishermen emerged.
Nearly 50,000 residents have been evacuated from coastal areas in Vietnam, and authorities are advising the public to stay indoors. Schools across 12 northern provinces, including the capital, Hanoi, have temporarily closed their doors.
Before its arrival in Vietnam, Super Typhoon Yagi was responsible for 24 casualties in southern China and the Philippines. Experts warn that the increasing intensity and frequency of storms are an alarming consequence of climate change, as warmer ocean temperatures fuel stronger storms with higher wind speeds while a warmer atmosphere retains more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall.
