Update on landslide recovery at hydroelectric project in Lai Chau: Bodies of 5 victims found

Authorities remove the victim's body - Photo: plo.vn

Thus, after 2 days of searching, the bodies of 5 victims of the landslide during construction at the Ta Pao Ho 1A hydropower plant have been found. The search and rescue work is complete. The rescue forces with a high sense of responsibility, overcame difficulties and dangers to complete the deployment work.

At the scene, Chairman of Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee Le Van Luong, representatives of Military Region 2, Lai Chau Provincial Military Command, Lai Chau Provincial Police... and other departments shared, encouraged and provided initial support to the relatives of the victims.

This morning, Lai Chau Provincial Party Secretary Giang Pao My and representatives of departments and branches visited and encouraged the injured in the landslide, who are currently being treated at Lai Chau Provincial General Hospital.

The Secretary of Lai Chau Provincial Party Committee requested the Provincial General Hospital to send a team of doctors and nurses to actively treat the patients; actively coordinate with the Central Hospital to consult when necessary. At the same time, he presented support money and visits from the province and the Provincial Red Cross to representatives of the patients' families.

The Secretary of Lai Chau Provincial Party Committee requested the Provincial People's Committee to further strengthen the direction and proactive response to natural disasters; strengthen propaganda to raise people's awareness of natural disaster prevention and control; mobilize people to proactively prepare and be ready to prevent and control when natural disasters occur; regularly grasp the situation of natural disasters to proactively warn and promptly inform communes, wards, towns, villages and hamlets so that people know and proactively respond.

At the same time, focus on reviewing residential areas, vulnerable locations at risk of hail, whirlwinds, flash floods, landslides, etc., propagandize, warn people and have timely response plans to unfavorable situations when natural disasters occur; coordinate with investors to review projects under construction in the area, speed up construction progress, and have measures to ensure safety for projects during the rainy and flood season.

According to Lai Chau General Hospital, the four victims who were taken to the emergency room are now in stable condition. Two of the seriously injured patients underwent successful surgery on the evening of May 16, while two others with minor injuries are currently being monitored and cared for.

Mr. Phi Van Hung, Head of the Ta Pao Ho 1A Hydropower Project Management Board, shared that initially the company will support each victim with 50 million VND and the company will cover the costs of medicine and treatment.

2 seriously ill patients are being cared for at the Department of Anesthesia and Resuscitation at Lai Chau Provincial General Hospital - Photo: baolaichau.vn

As reported, at around 10:30 a.m. on May 16, a landslide occurred at the construction site of the Ta Pao Ho 1A Hydropower Plant, causing many casualties.

Specifically, while clearing the foundation pit under the hydroelectric dam, the negative slope of the road through Mo Si San commune collapsed, causing rocks and soil to flow down and bury many people. Five people are missing and four people are injured.

The four injured people include: Doan Van Vinh (born in 1984, residing in Quynh Luu district, Nghe An province), Lu Van Phan (born in 1985), Lu Van Than (born in 1985) and Luong Van Sinh (born in 1970, all residing in Que Phong district, Nghe An province).

The five people missing due to the landslide include: Luong Van Ha (born in 1987, residing in Que Phong district, Nghe An province), Phan Lao Lo (born in 2009), Ly Lao San (born in 2008), Tan U May (born in 1984), Tan Su May (born in 1986, all residing in La Nhi Thang village, Si Lo Lau commune, Phong Tho district, Lai Chau province).

The initial cause was determined to be due to prolonged heavy rain in the area in recent days causing landslides.

Immediately after the incident, the Chairman of Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee directed the agencies in the Lai Chau Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, including the Provincial Military Command, Provincial Police, Provincial Border Guard Command, etc. to directly go to the scene to direct the forces to develop a plan and immediately deploy the search for missing people and rescue the injured. The total number of supporting forces was over 150 people.

The Military Region 2 Command also mobilized nearly 200 soldiers, militia and 17 vehicles and specialized equipment to the scene to coordinate with the police and local authorities in search and rescue.

On the evening of May 16, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed Official Dispatch No. 66/CD-TTg dated May 16, 2025 on focusing on overcoming the consequences of landslides at the construction site of Ta Pao Ho 1A hydropower project, in Si Lo Lau commune, Phong Tho district, Lai Chau province.

In the telegram, the Prime Minister sent his deepest condolences to the families of the victims; requested the Chairman of the Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee to continue to coordinate with the Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee (the locality where citizens were missing and injured in the above incident) and leaders of relevant agencies to focus on directing and implementing search and rescue work, overcoming the consequences of the landslide with the most urgent and timely spirit.

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/cap-nhat-khac-phuc-su-co-sat-lo-cong-trinh-thuy-dien-o-lai-chau-tim-thay-thi-the-5-nan-nhan-10225051713543371.htm