Truck taking Thai aid to Laos plummets

A man was killed and two others were injured as their six-wheeled truck delivering donated supplies from Thailand fell into the water on the way to help flood victims in Attapeu, Laos.

ABC Laos News reported yesterday that the truck fell from a bridge into an abyss and then the Xe-Namnoy River in Paksong, Champasak province about 10am. It was about 20 kilometres from Attapeu. The abyss is about 50 metres deep. Lao national Inchan Chantavongsa was pronounced dead, while identities of the others are being investigated.

Torrential rain in Champasak province and Attapeu province resulted in the collapse of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydroelectric power dam that on Monday claimed the lives of at least 10 people and displaced many people.

As the search for victims of floods in Sanamxay district of Attapeu province entered its sixth day, rescuers were facing problems because of the huge amount of mud even though the flood waters were receding, according to Vientiane Times reporters yesterday.

Some places were covered with more than 10 metres of mud while the level was lower in some areas.

Military troops and rescue teams aren’t using boats to search for victims.

“According to the rescue teams, only excavators can clear the mud and make a path for them to continue their work in each area affected by the floods,” the paper reported.

Many houses are buried by the mud, and the rescuers could see only the roofs or the tops of the temples in some area, according to media. Rescuers are racing to find a solution.