A construction rig over 10 meters tall and weighing several tons collapsed on Bui Huu Nghia Road in Ho Chi Minh City, leading to severe traffic congestion along the Nhiu Loc Canal. The incident happened around 4:15 PM, prompting authorities to cordon off the area and manage the resulting traffic jam.

Bui Huu Nghia Road, a vital thoroughfare connecting the Ba Chieu market area to Bạch Đằng Street, experienced extensive vehicle backups stretching several kilometers along Trường Sa Road and the Nhiu Loc Canal. The collapse occurred while the rig was being installed for the Xuyen Tam canal improvement project, which is part of a larger urban infrastructure initiative.

The initial investigation by the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Infrastructure Investment Project Management Board indicated that the collapse was caused by a broken axle on the construction vehicle. The heavy steel frame fell across Bui Huu Nghia Road and adjacent alleyways, leaving debris scattered and blocking traffic.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the incident. Emergency crews quickly set up barriers around the site and worked to safely remove the equipment and debris to restore order. However, due to the timing of the collapse during rush hour, traffic in the area was severely disrupted.

As vehicles sought alternate routes, Trường Sa Road also became congested, as it is commonly used by commuters looking to avoid traffic lights and intersections. The affected area is part of a major construction contract for the Xuyen Tam canal project, which spans nearly 3 kilometers from Nhiu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal to Bui Dinh Tuy Bridge, with an estimated cost of around 1,160 billion VND.

The Xuyen Tam canal improvement project aims to enhance drainage and environmental conditions, covering a total length of approximately 6.7 kilometers, including three tributaries. The project has already completed the first 1.4 kilometers in the An Nhon area, with a total investment exceeding 17.23 trillion VND.

In response to the collapse, authorities have restricted vehicle access to Bui Huu Nghia Bridge from the old district 1 towards Ba Chieu market, forcing drivers to reroute through alternative streets, further exacerbating traffic issues in the vicinity.