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BANGKOK, Thailand. (AP) – The collapse of a hydroelectric dam in the south-east of Laos left an indeterminate number of dead and hundreds of missing reported the press on Tuesday The rescue operations were initiated while senior officials came to the site and that requests for help from the public multiplied.
The hydroelectric dam of Xepian-Xe Nam Noy in the province of Attapeu shattered Monday evening, releasing a large amount of water that razed houses and left more than 6,600 people homeless, reported the official KPL news agency.
The dam was built through a joint venture led by South Korean companies, with Thai and Laotian partners. The project, which was to start operating this year, was still under construction, according to KPL information, which described the accident area as an auxiliary dam, used to retain more water in addition to the dam. main.
Laos Prime Minister, Thongloun Sisoulith, "suspended the monthly meeting of his government for the month of August and traveled with members of his government and other senior officials in the district of Sanamxay to monitor relief operations and flood relief, "said KPL. Seasonal rains have recently caused flooding in many parts of the country.
Provincial authorities asked for emergency assistance – food, food, drinking water, medicine and other items – as well as money at the "party". officials, the police, the armed forces and people of all strata. "
Laos, one of the poorest countries in Asia, has made the transition from communism to a market economy, but maintains a one-party state with few freedoms. There is practically no freedom of the press and foreign journalists work under heavy restrictions, which limits the flow of information.
The electricity produced in several hydroelectric dams represents the lion's share Export earnings from Laos Thailand is its main buyer
According to KPL, the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy project would cost about $ 1.020 billion.
About 10,000 people live in the affected area by the dam, mainly ethnic minorities.
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