Laos dam disaster leaves 24 dead, scores missing
ATTAPEU, Laos — Rescuers searched Wednesday for scores of villagers left missing when part of a newly built hydroelectric dam broke in southeastern Laos, flooding the surrounding countryside and killing at least 24 people, officials said.
Thousands of people lost their homes when the South Korean-built dam gave way on Monday, flooding surrounding villages.
Hundreds took shelter in nearby towns, travelling by bus and pickup trucks and sleeping on plastic sheeting.
“The water came so quick we just left the house and ran away,” said Phon Vuongchonpu, whose family of 12 fled as the floodwater rose to roof level. “We’ve lost everything: motorbike, furniture our cows and pigs.”