At least 26 dead in Laos dam collapse tragedy

ATTAPEU, LAOS: Rescuers recovered 26 bodies and hundreds remain missing after a dam collapse swamped several villages in southern Laos, as survivors questioned why they received little warning of the deluge.

Some residents claimed they were warned to evacuate only hours before disaster struck.

Two South Korean contractors said they reported damage at least a day before parts of the Xe-Namnoy Dam gave way on Monday and unleashed a wall of water.

In an update yesterday afternoon, state-run Laos News Agency said hundreds remained unaccounted for, with at least 50 missing from the village of Ban Mai alone.

Footage on Laos television showed people huddled on roofs awaiting rescue as muddy water swirled menacingly just below them, with the army and local volunteers leading the relief effort, AFP reported.

Meanwhile, Mercy Malaysia will deploy a team to Laos today following severe flooding caused by tropical storm Son-Tinh.

“We are sending a Rapid Assessment Team to meet with the relevant authorities and establish base camp within 24 hours. This will be followed by a medical team in 48 hours to run mobile clinics,” its president Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus said in a statement.

It is estimated that some 10,000 people are affected, with close to 400 families evacuated to temporary emergency shelter.

For information on donating to Mercy Malaysia, such as medical assistance, drinking water and temporary shelter, visit www.mercy. org.my