HANOI, Sept 26: A bridge under construction in southern Vietnam collapsed on Wednesday killing at least 52 people and leaving dozens injured, state television reported.

About 250 labourers and engineers were working on the bridge in Vinh Long province when it gave way, sending slabs of concrete crashing into the river below, officials said.

“The latest death toll has reached 52 now,” Vietnam Television said in an evening broadcast updating earlier tolls.

A senior police officer earlier said at least 38 were killed but he also had reports of a higher toll.

“We have received reports of the death toll reaching 38,” said Le Van Ut, deputy director of the provincial police department, adding he had reports of up to 52 killed.

Rescuers were still working Wednesday night to free others trapped under slabs of broken concrete. About 150 military personnel have been mobilised to help with the rescue efforts, officials said.

People trapped under the rubble were making noises to attract attention and families of suspected victims were joining the rescue effort, the online newspaper VNExpress said.

“The top priority now is rescue work,” said Ngo Thinh Duc, vice transport minister told VTV.

“The most difficult thing now is to dismantle the huge fallen concrete blocks to save people underneath,” he told VTV.

About 79 of those injured were still being treated in hospital, VTV reported, adding “17 were in very serious condition.” Officials previously talked about more than 160 injured in the disaster.

Deputy vice chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee, Pham Phuoc Nhu, said recent rains in the area might have weakened the structure as well as scaffolding attached to the bridge.

“So much rain over the last few days might have weakened and caused the collapse of the two bridge piers, leading also to the fall of the scaffolding system,” Nhu said.

VNExpress quoted police sources as saying a weakened scaffolding system fell down, leading to the collapse of parts of the bridge that were only set in concrete on Tuesday.

Funded by the Japanese government, the 16-kilometre long bridge was being built across the Hau river and to link Can Tho and Vinh Long provinces. Japan was expected to donate up to 24,8 billion yen (215 million dollars for the project.—AFP