THOUSANDS of Laotians fled in panic after a hydroelectric dam suddenly collapsed sending huge volumes of water gushing into their homes, INN News reported today (July 24, 2018).
Over 4,000 houses got flooded after Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy dam located on a plateau in southeastern Attapeu province, and just 80 kilometers away from Pakse city, cracked and then collapsed, sending 5 billion cubic meters of water suddenly gushing out.
Meanwhile Amarintv.com quoted ABC Laos News as saying that many people were caught off guard and some had to quickly climb to the roof of their homes to wait for help. Officials are swiftly going out in boats to take victims to emergency centers.
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Top: Laotians traveling by a boat to safety after the dam collapse. Photo: Amarintv.com
Below: Some of the flood victims waiting for help. Photo: Amarintv.com