At least 19 dead, 49 missing and many homeless in Laos dam collapse
Vientiane, July 25 (IBNS): At least 19 people are dead and 49 believed missing in southern Laos after an unfinished hydroelectric dam collapsed with the gushing water inundating downstream villages, Lao media reported.
More than 1,300 families have reportedly been left homeless in the disaster.
According to reports, the number of deaths could rise further.
The accident happened at a hydropower dam in southeastern Attapeu province's Sanamxay district late Monday, releasing five billion cubic metres of water.
Helicopters and boats have been deployed for survivors, district governor Bounhome Phommasane told the state-run Vientiane Times.
The newspaper, citing unofficial reports from the provincial government, said about 19 people had been found dead and 49 were believed to still be missing.
The $1.2 billion dam is part of a project by Vientiane-based Xe Pian Xe Namnoy Power Company, or PNPC, a joint venture formed in 2012.
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