Hydroelectric dam collapse in Laos: More than 7,300 people evacuated, 123 still missing

Lao Prime Minister encourages domestic and international aid workers. Photo: Quoc Khanh

On the morning of July 29, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith inspected the Relief Reception Center at the Lao Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare to encourage humanitarian forces.

On this occasion, the Lao Prime Minister expressed his sincere thanks to domestic and international relief forces; and also thanked the governments of other countries for their timely assistance and encouragement to Laos in the current extremely difficult situation.

The Lao Prime Minister also thanked the people at home and overseas Lao people for their spirit of mutual love and support to help people in provinces suffering from natural disasters, especially the people of Sanamxay district, Attapeu province.

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith affirmed that the Party and Government always stand side by side with the people, determined to help them stabilize their lives after the disaster at all costs; and asked people to remain calm and not listen to divisive rhetoric, taking advantage of difficulties and calamities during natural disasters to spread false information.

The Lao Prime Minister also suggested that people should filter information on social networks. Official information is always published on state media.

After the dam break, mud and soil seriously affected people's lives and production. Photo: Quoc Khanh

The Lao Ministry of National Defense's disaster relief and rescue force said: As of today (July 29), in Sanamxay district, 8 bodies have been found, including 4 adults and 4 children, while 123 missing people have not yet been found.

The authorities have relocated 7,324 people from 13 villages to 5 temporary locations, including: Sanamxay district center 3,731 people; Pasomphon and Paksong districts, Champasak province 1,407 people; Tamodot village 600 people, Donbok village 1,086 people, Banpandong point 500 people.

Lieutenant General Khamnieng Ounthacaysone - Deputy Director of the General Department of Logistics, Lao People's Army, Commander of the shock force in Sanamxay said that Sanamxay is currently having the coordination of 6 teams from Thailand and 2 teams from China.

Many people have to live in makeshift housing after the hydroelectric dam collapse in Laos. Photo: Quoc Khanh

Late yesterday afternoon, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonexai Siphandone and Mr. Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary General of ASEAN, Brunei, directly visited and presented gifts to Sanamxay Primary School, where people from four villages, Tha-seng-chan, Hin-lat, Tha-hin and Tha-uon, are residing, and met with officers, soldiers and employees of the Sanamxay Rescue Team.