Landslides Hit Northern Vietnam, Death Toll Rises To 17

Accra, June 26 - (dpa/GNA) - The death toll following flash floods and landslides in northern Vietnam has risen to 17, with 11 people still missing, authorities said Tuesday.

Lai Chau, Vietnam's most sparsely-populated and poorest province, reported 12 deaths and 11 missing, while Ha Giang province reported five deaths, Vietnam's National Committee for Search and Rescue said in a report sent to the government late Tuesday.

More than 6,152 people, including 2,800 soldiers, are taking part in a search-and-rescue mission as well as helping victims, the committee said.

Heavy rains over the past three days resulted in deadly flash floods in four northern provinces, said the Central Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control. Rainfall of up to 508 millimetres was recorded in the region over the past three days.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered local authorities to take steps to prevent further landslides and minimize the damage to people and property.

More than 80 houses in Lai Chau, Ha Giang, Lao Cai and Thai Nguyen provinces were swept away, 508 houses were damaged and nearly 1,000 houses were submerged in heavy rains and flooding, which began late Saturday, the committee said.

Floods also swept away a bridge in Lai Chau province, while landslides disrupted traffic on some inter-provincial roads.

Authorities have estimated a loss of 7 million dollars.

GNA