Hundreds missing after hydroelectric dam collapses in Laos

Laos (Image from Google Maps)

BANGKOK — State media say a hydroelectric dam has collapsed in southeastern Laos, leaving several people confirmed dead and hundreds missing.

The official Lao news agency KPL reported Tuesday that the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam in Attapeu province collapsed Monday evening, releasing large amounts of water and sweeping away houses, leaving more than more than 6,600 people homeless.

The dam was constructed by a joint venture led by South Korean companies, with Thai and Lao partners. It was scheduled to open this year, but it was unclear if it had begun operating. /atm