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'Hundreds missing' after hydroelectric dam collapses in Laos Laos dam collapse: ‘hundreds missing’ after villages flooded
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of people are missing after a hydroelectric dam broke in southern Laos, the state news has reported.Hundreds of people are missing after a hydroelectric dam broke in southern Laos, the state news has reported.
Five billion cubic metres of water swept through the surrounding countryside after the accident at the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam, which is still under construction.Five billion cubic metres of water swept through the surrounding countryside after the accident at the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam, which is still under construction.
The neighbouring villages of Yai Thae, Hinlad, Mai, Thasengchan, Tha Hin, and Samong bore the brunt of flooding, which has reportedly destroyed thousands of homes. The dam collapsed at 8pm on Monday night. The neighbouring villages of Yai Thae, Hinlad, Mai, Thasengchan, Tha Hin, and Samong bore the brunt of flooding, which has reportedly destroyed thousands of homes.
Officials brought in boats to try and evacuate victims who were left stranded by the water. Aerial footage of the area shows the whole region under muddy water, with only roofs and the tops of trees visible.
Several people have been confirmed dead, and more than 6,600 made homeless, the official news agency KPL reported.Several people have been confirmed dead, and more than 6,600 made homeless, the official news agency KPL reported.
The prime minister, Thongloun Sisoulith, called on government organisations, the police and the military to assist in the emergency relief effort in the south-eastern province of Attapeu.The prime minister, Thongloun Sisoulith, called on government organisations, the police and the military to assist in the emergency relief effort in the south-eastern province of Attapeu.
The hydropower dam project, which is estimated to be worth about $1bn (£760m), is being built by Xe Pien-Xe Namnoy Power Company and is a joint venture between several South Korean and Laos companies. Construction began in 2013 and was due for completion by the end of this year. The hydropower dam project, which is estimated to be worth about $1bn (£760m), is being built by Xe Pien-Xe Namnoy Power Company and is a joint venture between several South Korean and Laos companies. Construction began in 2013 and was due for completion by the end of this year, with plans to start operations in 2019.
More soon … The objective was to make the dam a lucrative source of income for Laos, a poverty-stricken country, by exporting 90% of the energy to neighbouring Thailand
Environmental campaigners have repeatedly raised concerns over plans by the government in Laos to build vast dams across the Mekong river and turn the country into a hydroelectricity hub. Eleven large hydropower dams on the Mekong’s mainstream, and 120 tributary dams, are planned over the next 20 years.
LaosLaos
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