Brian Jeffrey
A catastrophic landslide transpired at the Ta Pao Ho 1A Hydropower Plant construction site in Phong Tho District, Lai Chau Province, resulting in at least five individuals unaccounted for and four sustaining injuries.
The event occurred around 10:30 a.m. on May 16, while workers were excavating the foundation pit underneath the dam. During this time, a section of the lower talus slope within Mo Si San Commune collapsed, causing a torrent of rocks and debris to engulf several workers present.
As per the Lai Chau Provincial Command for Natural Disaster Response and Search and Rescue, the five individuals missing are identified as P.L.L. (16), L.L.S. (17), T.U.M. (41), and T.S.M. (39), all hailing from Lai Chau Province. Meanwhile, the fifth missing person, L.V.H. (38), comes from Nghe An Province.
The injured four workers, also from Nghe An Province, are D.V.V. (41), L.V.P. (40), L.V.T. (40), and L.V.S. (55).
Local authorities and military personnel from Military Region 2 are urgently executing rescue operations, with two excavators on-site to help find the missing workers and transport the injured for immediate medical assistance.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the landslide was triggered by extended heavy rainfall in the region, leading to an unstable landscape and consequent rockslide.
The Ta Pao Ho hydropower facility, comprising Ta Pao Ho 1A (upstream) and Ta Pao Ho 1B (downstream), is located roughly 90 kilometers from Lai Chau City, harnessing hydroelectric power from the Ta Pao Ho stream through the communes of Si Lo Lau and Mo Si San.
The National Civil Defense Steering Office has instructed Lai Chau Province to collaborate with Military Region 2 Command and the Border Guard to evaluate the terrain, promptly execute search and rescue operations, and evacuate individuals and property in vulnerable areas.
Officials have stressed the importance of ensuring the utmost safety for all personnel and equipment involved in the rescue missions.
