13–2024 (HANOI) A devastating landslide in Vietnam’s northern province of Ha Giang early Saturday morning has claimed the lives of at least nine people, while four others were critically injured, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The tragic incident occurred when a minibus carrying around 16 passengers was engulfed by thousands of cubic meters of soil, burying all those on board.
The harrowing scene unfolded on a road in Bac Me district, where the minibus was initially trapped by a landslide. In a desperate attempt to seek help, all the passengers exited the vehicle. However, their efforts were tragically cut short as a massive landslide followed, burying the entire group under a torrent of debris.
Rescue operations swiftly commenced, with teams working tirelessly to locate and extract the victims from the wreckage. So far, nine fatalities have been confirmed, while four individuals were rescued in critical condition and immediately transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
The search for the remaining three missing persons continues relentlessly, as rescuers race against time to find any potential survivors trapped beneath the rubble. The challenging conditions and the sheer volume of debris have made the rescue efforts arduous, but the teams remain undeterred in their determination to locate the missing individuals.
Landslides are not uncommon in the mountainous regions of Vietnam, particularly during the rainy season when heavy downpours can destabilize soil and trigger dangerous rockfalls. However, the magnitude of this particular incident has left the local community in shock and mourning.
Authorities have mobilized all available resources to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts, with specialized equipment and additional personnel being deployed to the site. The priority remains the safe retrieval of any survivors and the provision of immediate medical assistance to those in need.
