PH Extends Sympathies To Laos After Dam Collapse Leaves Several Dead, Hundreds Missing

25 July 2018 – The Philippines today extended its sympathies to Laos after a dam in the southern part of the country collapsed on Monday, leaving dozens of people dead and hundreds missing.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines stands ready to extend assistance to its Southeast Asian neighbor in the wake of the disaster that Lao state media said displaced as many as 6,000 people.

“Our thoughts are with the government and people of Laos as they cope with this tragedy,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said in a statement.

“We hope and pray for the safe recovery of the many who were reported missing,” Secretary Cayetano said, adding that Manila is ready to assist in whatever way it can if requested.

In its report to the Home Office, the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane said the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam was reported to have collapsed on Monday evening as a result of heavy monsoon rains, sending millions of tons of water rampaging down 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.

Ambassador Ante said only 10 of the 28 Filipinos registered with the Embassy are still in the area but all are safe and have not been affected by the flooding. END