Hundreds missing, several feared dead, after Laos dam collapse

7/25/2018 - 3:59:51 PM

Hundreds of people are missing and several are feared dead after a hydropower dam under construction in southern Laos collapsed, causing flash flooding which swept away homes, state media reported on Tuesday (July 24).

The flooded plains in Attapeu province after the dam collapse. (Photo: ABC Laos/AFP - Getty Images)

The disaster left more than 6,600 people homeless, the Lao News Agency reported. It showed pictures of villagers wading through muddy flood waters carrying belongings. Others boarded rickety wooden boats or stood on the roofs of submerged houses.

Officials have brought boats to help evacuate people in San Sai district of Attapeu province, where the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower dam is located, as water levels rise after the collapse, ABC Laos news reported.

"We are running an emergency team and planning to help evacuate and rescue residents in villages near the dam,” a SK Engineering & Construction spokesman told Reuters by telephone.

The dam collapsed at 20.00 hours on Monday (July 23) releasing 5 billion cubic metres of water and several hundred people are missing and homes have been swept away, the Lao News Agency said. It said several people had died.

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has suspended government meetings and led Cabinet members to monitor rescue and relief efforts in one of the affected areas, the state agency reported.

The Attapeu Provincial Administration Office has announced relief aid for flood victims. Authorities of Attapeu Province also called on Party, government organizations, business community, officials, police and military forces and the Lao people to provide emergency aid for the victims.

Being constructed by Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy Power Company (PNPC), a joint venture of the Republic of Korean, Thai and Lao companies, the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy hydroelectric power project is estimated to cost US$1.02 billion, and is estimated to have an annual electricity generation of approximately 1,860 GWh.

Source: NDO

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