46 rescued in village flash flood, 77 remain missing in northern province

Rescue teams search for victims in Làng Nủ Village of Bảo Yên District, Lào Cai Province. — VNA/VNS Photos

HÀ NỘI — As of Wednesday morning, 46 people have been rescued in the devastating flash flood that wiped out the entire Làng Nủ Village in the northern Lào Cai Province, where 158 people are residing.

Bảo Yên District’s authorities confirmed that 18 people have died in the disaster, while 17 are receiving medical treatment, and 77 others remain missing.

Trigged by the heavy downpours following Typhoon Yagi, the flash flood struck at around 6am on Tuesday, affecting the entire 37 households in the village.

Ongoing rescue efforts are being hindered as heavy downpours and disaster risks cut off traffic to the remote area, which is also experiencing power outages and telecommunication disruptions.

The sudden flash flood wiped out the entire village.

Lào Cai’s health department director and three emergency teams from the provincial general hospital arrived in Bảo Yên to assist with rescue efforts.

Of the 17 people being treated for multiple injuries in Bảo Yên District General Hospital, five were transferred to the Việt Nam-Germany Hospital in Hà Nội on Tuesday night due to their worsening conditions.

Lào Cai People’s Committee Chairman Trịnh Xuân Trường visited flash flood victims in the hospital on Tuesday night. An emergency meeting was also held afterwards for ongoing recovery efforts.

The disaster situation has been reported to the government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Military Region 2 for additional support. — VNS