Uneven yielding of the foundation of a temporary pillar was mainly responsible for the collapse of Can Tho bridge last year that killed 54 workers and injured 80 others, said a government official.

The uneven sinking of the foundation of temporary pillar T13U resulted in the breaking of bolts and crossbars, said Minister Construction Nguyen Hong Quan, head of the state commission in charge of investigating the cause of the September 26, 2007 accident, at a press briefing in Hanoi on July 2.

The minister said the cause “is considered an unfortunate occurrence that is difficult to foresee in normal designing.”

Construction of the 295 million USD bridge spanning the Hau River, a branch of the Mekong River, that will link the southern province of Vinh Long and Can Tho city, kicked off on Sept. 25, 2004.

Once completed, it will be Vietnam 's longest cable-stayed bridge with a 1 km main section and a four-lane carriageway of 26m wide.

Source: VNA