DEATH TOLL HITS 49 AHEAD OF APEC MEET

Fatalities set to climb as top world economic leaders arrive this week

HOI AN (Vietnam)

The weather system hit just days before the country welcomes world leaders to the Apec summit in Danang.

While Danang itself has not been seriously affected, heavy flooding has hit here, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Site known for its unique blend of buildings, some dating back to the 15th century.

Large swathes of four central and southern provinces were submerged yesterday, officials said, with the death toll likely to rise as the search for at least 19 people got under way.

Restaurants and hotels here were inundated and tourists were evacuated on boats.

“It’s reached places in Hoi An that it hasn’t reached in years,” said Peter Kahl, 53, a restaurant owner here.

The spouses of world leaders attending the Apec summit in nearby Danang were set to visit the city later this week.

There has been no word yet on whether the visit will go ahead.

“If anyone from Apec comes to see (Hoi An) and sees the condition it’s in at the moment — it’s dreadful,” local resident Andrew Lambie said, as a river snake swam past his home.

United States President Donald Trump will attend the Apec summit this week, along with China’s Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin of Russia. AFP