Search on after dam break

Pakse, July 25: Rescuers were searching on Wednesday for villagers left missing when part of a newly built dam broke in southeastern Laos, flooding the surrounding countryside and killing at least 19 people.

More than 6,000 people lost their homes when the dam gave way on Monday, flooding surrounding villages. The exact number of victims was unclear.

The official Lao news agency KPL said yesterday afternoon that hundreds of people were missing, without providing details. More recent reports put the number missing in the dozens.

KPL today said that the death toll had risen to 19. Photos and videos posted on social media showed people sitting on rooftops to escape the surging water, while others were carried to safety or rescued by boat.

State media said helicopters were also being used to rescue people. SK Engineering & Construction, one of two South Korean partners in the project, said the top of one of five auxiliary earth-fill dams at the project “got swept away” on Sunday night after heavy rains. But Korea Western Power, which was due to operate the hydroelectric power plant after its completion, said problems first emerged Friday when workers discovered the dam's centre had sunk by 11 centimeters (4.3 inches).

The International Red Cross said food was a concern because village food supplies were drenched in the flooding.

MORE THAN 6,000 people lost their homes when the dam gave way on Monday, flooding surrounding villages. Exact number of victims is unclear.