Story of the hero who saved victims of the terrible landslide in Lao Cai

TPO – “At that time, the flood water could continue to fall, very dangerous. But at that moment, I couldn’t think much, I just knew that saving people was the most important thing,” said Mr. Xong Xeo Vu (29 years old) sharing the situation of saving people in the recent terrifying flash flood in Nam Tong village, Nam Luc commune (Bac Ha, Lao Cai ).

Story of the hero who saved the victims of the terrible landslide in Lao Cai photo 1

Mr. Xong Xeo Vu is the "hero" who saved 5 people from Nam Tong village.

During the flash flood in Nam Tong, Mr. Xong Xeo Vu disregarded his own safety, risked his life to cross the flood and saved 5 people.

Mr. Vu said that on that day, he and some relatives went to his brother's house to catch fish. While standing in the middle of the yard dividing the fish to each house, he heard a rumbling sound from above. Looking up towards the village, a column of mud and soil suddenly fell like a waterfall, sweeping away many houses, including his own. Mr. Vu panicked and ran back, luckily saving his child who was stuck in the bamboo bushes.

After bringing his child to shore, he saw 5 people trapped on the other side of the river, calling for help. At that moment, he ignored the danger and rushed into the rushing water to bring them to safety.

“At that time, the flood water could continue to fall, which was very dangerous. But at that moment, I couldn’t think much, I just knew that saving people was the most important thing,” Mr. Vu shared.

Story of the hero who saved the victims of the terrible landslide in Lao Cai photo 3

Authorities and people are searching for missing people.

While in the hospital receiving treatment for his injuries, Mr. Ma A Vung (27 years old), from Nam Tong village, shared: As soon as he heard the rumbling sound on the hilltop and the sound of rocks hitting each other, creating loud explosions like thunder, Mr. Vung ran out of the house when the flood water on the top rushed down and swept him away.

“I was very lucky, the house behind me blocked the big rocks from hitting me. I was swept about 200m, then got caught in a whirlpool and got stuck there until I was rescued by Mr. Vu,” Mr. Vung said.

Story of the hero who saved the victims of the terrible landslide in Lao Cai photo 4

While stuck at the base of the tree, Vung tried to summon the strength to call for help. Fortunately, Mr. Vu, who had just rescued his son, heard the shouts and risked his life to rush into the floodwaters to rescue Mr. Vung to safety.

“If Mr. Vu had not risked his life to save me, the flood that followed would have buried me. Because a few minutes after I got to shore, the flood water and rocks continued to flow down like a waterfall,” Mr. Vung shared.

Story of the hero who saved the victims of the terrible landslide in Lao Cai photo 5

People are trying to dig to find missing relatives.

Also being treated for her injuries at the hospital, Ms. Trang Thi Lay (41 years old), from Nam Tong village, said that her family's survival was miraculous thanks to Mr. Vu's bravery. Fortunately, she, her children and grandchildren all escaped. All three are being treated at the hospital and their health has stabilized.

“It rained heavily all week, adults could not go to the fields to work, children could not go to school so everyone stayed home. The flood swept away my whole family. My son, my nephew and I were stuck between two large rocks, so we were only hit by small rocks and tree branches, with minor injuries. A while later, Mr. Vu pulled us out of the two rocks and brought us to shore,” Ms. Lay recalled.