A dam collapsed and generated a disaster in Southeast Asia

BANGKOK. – The collapse yesterday of a hydroelectric dam under construction in southern Laos, which has submerged at least six villages in this small country of Southeast Asia, has caused several deaths and hundreds missing, announced today the authorities. of the dam in the province of Attapeu, the authorities have continued to badess the scale of the disaster. "We still do not have official information about the casualties or the number of casualties," said a provincial officer from Attapeu, who requested anonymity.

The disaster left more than 6,600 people homeless. who showed images of residents walking on floors full of mud carrying their belongings. Others climbed fragile wooden boats or stayed on the roofs of submerged houses.

Authorities sent boats to evacuate residents of San Sai District, Attapeu province, where the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydroelectric dam is located, due to the rise in water level after collapse The company responsible for the construction said that heavy rains and floods have caused the collapse and that she is cooperating with the Government of Laos to help save residents near the reservoir

"We are forming an emergency team to help evacuate and rescue residents of towns near the dam," a spokesman for SK Engineering & C said by phone. The dam collapsed at 8 pm on Monday (local time), leaving 5 billion cubic meters, and several hundred people are missing and many houses have been razed, reported the report. Lao news agency.

A video posted by ABC Laos on its Facebook page showed villagers watching the surge water from the shore of a river.

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith suspended government meetings and traveled with cabinet members to oversee rescue work in one of the affected areas, according to

Meanwhile, Pope Francis has expressed his "solidarity to all who were touched by this disaster" and said that he "prayed" especially for the rest of the deceased, the wounded and the consolation of all who mourn the loss of their loved ones and who fear for the lives of those who are still scattered, "he said in a message.

From Thailand, neighboring country, they sent a reinforcement of rescuers, but the affected area is surrounded by a very dense jungle, which could complicate operations. The Cambodian government has declared itself ready to evacuate residents of Stung Trend province, on the border of Laos, about 70 km from the landslide zone.

Reuters Agencies and AP