Nghe An: Two women buried under mud while scavenging for tin ore.

On the afternoon of April 5th, a serious mudslide occurred in the Thung Khoong mine area, in Chau Hong commune (Quy Hop district).

At around 5:30 PM, a group of people from Chau Hong commune went to the Thung Khoong mine area in the commune to scavenge for tin ore to sell. This area used to have a tin mining company, but it has ceased operations for many years.

Authorities mobilized excavators to open the mine entrance in order to reach the site of the accident and rescue victims in the mine collapse on March 13. Photo: Huy Nham

While they were scavenging for ore, a large amount of mud and soil collapsed, burying Ms. Lo Thi Hue (born in 1984, residing in Poong village) and Ms. Vi Thi Huong (residing in Na Hieng village).

Ms. Huong was fortunate to be rescued in time by her colleagues. As for Ms. Hue, because she was buried deep in the mud, it took more than an hour to find her, and she had already died.

Upon receiving the report, local authorities mobilized forces to remove the victim's body from the scene. The authorities then handed over the body to the family for burial according to local customs.

The bodies of victims from the mine collapse on March 13th are being removed from the tunnel. Photo: Huy Nham

Previously, on March 13, 2019, a mine collapse occurred at the Suoi Bac tin mine area, also in Chau Hong commune, resulting in the deaths of three people from Chao village. The identities of the three victims are: Luong Van Tuan (born in 1977), Luong Thi Hao (born in 1982), and Sam Thi Hai (born in 1987).

The area where the tin mine collapsed was once a site of mining operations, but the mine closed down and ceased operations about three years ago. Many people in Quy Hop have long been going to abandoned mining areas to scavenge for tin, considering it a means of livelihood.