Searching for container truck driver swept away by flood while crossing overflow tunnel

On the afternoon of November 17, the People's Committee of La Lay commune, Quang Tri province, said it was coordinating with functional forces and local people to search for the container truck driver who was swept away by floodwaters while trying to cross the overflow tunnel while the water level was rising.

The container truck crossed the overflow tunnel, the driver was swept away by floodwaters and is missing. Photo: VNA

According to initial information, at around 12 o'clock on the same day, a container truck with an unknown license plate (driver's identity unknown) traveled from National Highway 15 from La Lay border gate to National Highway 9. While the authorities at the checkpoint were having lunch nearby, the driver arbitrarily opened the barrier across the A Rong Tren spillway (La Lay intersection) to pass. However, due to the strong flow of floodwaters from upstream, when the container truck was halfway across, the flood swept the front of the truck toward the abyss. At this time, the driver climbed out of the cabin onto the side of the truck to wait for rescue. While the authorities were organizing the rescue, the floodwaters caused the truck to overturn, and the driver went missing.

Currently, authorities continue to search, however, heavy rain and rising floodwaters have made the search difficult.

The container truck crossed the overflow tunnel, the driver was swept away by floodwaters and is missing. Photo: VNA

According to the Quang Tri Provincial Civil Defense Command, in the past 12 hours, many places in the province have had heavy to very heavy rain such as: Ta Rut 541mm, Dakrong 379mm, Khe Sanh 372.8mm, Huong Phung 273mm, Tan Lap 193mm, Huong Lap 181mm, Lao Bao 163mm, La Lay 160mm. As of 11:30 a.m. on November 17, heavy rain has caused 3 flooded and isolated places; 190 households with 644 people were flooded; 5 landslides; 3 schools were closed; more than 4,490 households lost power. Localities have evacuated 217 households with 813 people. Floods on rivers in Quang Tri continue to rise, the risk of widespread flooding and landslides is very high...

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/tim-kiem-lai-xe-container-bi-lu-cuon-mat-tich-khi-vuot-ngam-tran-20251117141823371.htm