Military searches for Vietnamese driver missing in landslide

Lao authorities and the military are continuing their search for a Vietnamese driver reported missing following a landslide on the road between Khammuan and Borikhamxay provinces, after rescuing 45 Vietnamese citizens who were trapped in the same area.
The District Governor of Khounkham district, Mr Keovilay Xayabouth, said the authorities, especially the military group, are speeding up their search for the missing driver.

The Lao military is continuing its search for a Vietnamese driver reported missing following a landslide on the road between Khammuan and Borikhamxay provinces.

They have so far rescued 45 Vietnamese citizens who were trapped on a stretch of the road following landslides on Saturday.
The military also rescued 40 vehicles from the areas affected by landslides, though another 110 vehicles were pushed into ravines.
Massive landslides occurred along the National Highway Road No 8, which runs between Khounkham district in Khammuan province and Borikhamxay province, on August 4.
Landslides at four points in this area pushed 110 vehicles into ravines. The vehicles included 95 trucks, 13 pick-up trucks, a bus, and a motorcycle.
A total of 25 people, including three women and five children, were stranded at one location, while 43 more people were stranded at a second site. All of them are safe, officials said.
The military has stepped up its search and rescue operations in areas affected by landslides.
The stretch of the National Highway No 8 running through the Phou Pha Man and Phou Hai mountainous areas is still temporarily closed until further notice because authorities are clearing and repairing the stretch.
Many roads across Laos, including national highways, were cut off or damaged by landslides triggered by heavy rains over several days.
The authorities are now focused on the emergency repair of roads affected by landslides in order to restore the normal flow of traffic. Many of the roads hit by landslides are located in the northern provinces, where most routes pass through mountains.
On August 4, the Meteorology and Hydrology Department warned the residents of Huaphan, Xieng Khuang, Xaysomboun, Borikhamxay, Khammuan and Vientiane provinces to be on alert for landslides and flooding triggered by heavy rainfall.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update August 9, 2023)