Philippines ready to assist Laos after dam collapse
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government expressed its willingness to assist Laos following a dam breach in the southern part of the country that left dozens of people dead and hundreds missing.
Ambassador to Vientiane Belinda Ante said that 10 out of the 28 Filipinos registered with the Philippine Embassy are in the area but are all safe and were not affected by the flooding.
“Our thoughts are with the government and people of Laos as they cope with this tragedy... We hope and pray for the safe recovery of the many who were reported missing," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said.
According to the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam collapsed on Monday night due to monsoon rains.
The dam collapse sent millions of tons of water to overflow and flood at least six villages in Attapeu province.
"Ambassador to Vientiane Belinda Ante said the Embassy is in touch with members of the Filipino Community in the affected areas in Attapeu, which is located approximately 584 kilometers southeast of the capital," the DFA said in a release.
The website of state-run Vientiane Times newspaper said that two people were confirmed dead as of Tuesday afternoon. The government declared the area a disaster zone and top officials were rushing to the site, it said.
Photos and videos posted on social media showed people sitting on rooftops to escape the surging water, while others were carried to safety or rescued by boat. State media said helicopters were also being used to rescue people.
Continued heavy rain and strong winds forecast for the area could hinder rescue efforts, and risks from flooding persisted in the mountainous region.
Provincial authorities issued a call for emergency aid—clothing, food, drinking water, medicine, cash and other items—from the "party, government organizations, business community, officials, police and military forces and people of all strata." — Patricia Lourdes Viray with Associated Press
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