The water reaches the roofs of houses. (1965) Hundreds of people disappeared Tuesday in Laos after the sinking of a hydroelectric dam under construction in the southeast of this small Asian country, the official agency reported.
The dam, located in the province of Attapeu (southwest), near the border with Vietnam, collapsed Monday night, releasing 5,000 million cubic meters of water and "causing several deaths and hundreds of disappeared" declared the official agency of the communist regime. "Several houses were destroyed" he added.
Several dozen dams are currently under construction in Laos, which exports most of its hydroelectric power to neighboring countries, especially Thailand.
For years, environmental organizations have expressed concern over Laos' hydropower ambitions, particularly because of the impact of the dams on the Mekong River, its flora and fauna, as well as the people and communities. rural communities. local economies.
The Dam of the Attapeu Province, a work of more than one billion dollars, is under construction since 2013.
Behind this project, Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy Power Company (PNPC) is a joint venture formed by the Thai company Ratchaburi Electricity Holding Holding, the Korean company Korea Western Power and Lao Holding State Enterprise. 19659010] Many locals are still on the roofs of their homes. (Credit: @machetenoticias)