No Vietnamese victims recorded in Laos hydroelectric dam collapse
Lao authorities have not yet determined whether any Vietnamese or foreigners have been affected by the massive flooding caused by the hydroelectric dam collapse in Attapeu province.
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People climb onto their roofs to avoid flooding in Sanamxay district, Attapeu province, southeastern Laos, after a hydroelectric dam collapsed. Photo:Sun |
The Vietnamese Embassy in Laos said that consular officials in Pakse province were present in Sanamxay district, Attapeu province, southeastern Laos, where the hydroelectric dam collapsed on the night of July 23.
They said Lao rescue forces are trying to search and rescue victims but have not recorded any victims as Vietnamese citizens or other foreigners.
The Vietnamese Embassy is coordinating with local authorities to carry out citizen protection work if any Vietnamese are arrested.affect.
| Water flooded the roofs of houses where the hydroelectric dam broke in Laos. Video:ABC Laos News |
The Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy hydropower project collapsed last night, releasing more than 5 billion cubic meters of water, equivalent to more than 2 million Olympic swimming pools, downstream. Hundreds of people are missing and many are believed to have died in the incident.
The project, constructed by Laos’ PNPC, consists of three dams on branches of the Mekong River. The project, with a total cost of 1.02 billion USD, began in February 2013 and is expected to be operational this year.
The new hydropower plant will have an output of 410 megawatts, of which 90% of the electricity will be exported to Thailand, with the remainder fed into the local grid.
