Search for Rao Trang 3 landslide victims continues

Rescue forces have resumed the search for missing workers at the Thua Thien-Hue's Rao Trang 3 Hydro-power Plant in the river and stream by building a temporary dam.

12 workers missing after landslides on October 12.

The severe landslide on October 12 at Rao Trang 3 Hydropower Plant buried 17 workers. The rescue forces were able to find five bodies, 12 other workers are still missing and suspected to be dead.

The preparation works were carried out on November 18 and the rescue forces will start building the dam on November 19. Over 200 people were sent to the search and rescue mission which is hindered by the strong current and the huge amount of rocks from the landslide. The velocity of the Rao Trang 3 River was 15-20 cubic metres of water per second.

Searching for missing workers.

Lieutenant-Colonel Phan Thang, Chief of Staff of the Military Command of Thua Thien-Hue Province, said, "We've used all resources to deal with the river and stream. The amount of rocks and debris left by the recent floods and landslides is still really huge."

Nguyen Xuan Thanh, head of the steering committee of Rao Trang 3 Hydropower Plant said the search in the river and stream would take days. "We are determined and will work closely with the search and rescue forces to find the missing workers as quickly as possible," he said.

It is estimated that the dam will be completed in one or two days.