Local authorities in La Lay Commune, Quang Tri Province, said on November 13 that emergency crews were working to clear a major landslide along National Highway 15D.
Soil and rock block National Highway 15D (Photo: Quang Tri Border Guard).
The landslide occurred at around 5am, approximately five kilometres from the La Lay International Border Gate. A large volume of earth and rocks cascaded down the mountainside, burying nearly 50 metres of the highway and completely blocking access to the border crossing.
Vehicles were forced to stop and wait while authorities worked to remove the debris.
Emergency teams were making every effort to reopen one lane by late afternoon on November 13. Local authorities were coordinating with traffic police and the La Lay International Border Gate Border Guard Station to establish checkpoints and ensure safety during the clearance operation.
La Lay Commune authorities have urged residents and drivers not to attempt to cross the landslide-affected area and to follow instructions from emergency personnel, warning that further landslides remain possible.
National Highway 15D stretches for 78km and carries between 300 and 400 vehicles daily. Most are heavy trucks and tractor-trailers transporting coal from Laos into Vietnam through the La Lay International Border Gate.