Prime Minister expresses condolences to casualties of tragic landslide in Nu Village

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrived at the site of the devastating landslide in Nu Village (Phuc Khanh commune, Bao Yen district) on September 12 to visit the families of the casualties and inspire the spirit of the competent forces.

The Prime Minister's vehicle stopped at the entrance bridge to Nu Village as they approached the landslide site. The military forces have been conducting a search for missing victims in this area for the past three days. It was anticipated that many individuals may have been swept away to this low-lying area, which is loaded with trees and debris. This area is the final destination if measured from the landslide at the base of Voi Mountain.

The Prime Minister headed to the inner area of Nu Village, where the frontline rescue command post is situated at the village's cultural center, after inquiring and motivating the forces on duty.

The Prime Minister paused by the roadside to talk to the residents who stood on either side of the road. He expressed his support and asked about their welfare.

Mr. Hoang Van Voi (from Nu Village) informed the Prime Minister that the local government had provided the residents with adequate food and clothes, as well as arranged funerals for the victims, in the wake of the flash flood.

Numerous families are currently without any assets and are anticipating that the government will offer them housing and property in secure locations. The Prime Minister engaged in a conversation with Major General Nguyen Dang Khai, the Deputy Commander of Military Region 2, regarding the strategy for the search and rescue of the remaining missing victims.

Mr. Trinh Xuan Truong, Chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee, reported to the Prime Minister at the Forward Command Center that the province has identified 95 deceased and missing individuals. As of this afternoon, 45 people have been uncovered by search teams, while 50 remain unaccounted for. Seventeen patients are currently receiving treatment, with several of them in critical condition.

Mr. Truong stated that the province considers the situation to be extremely catastrophic, with a loss of life on a scale that has never been witnessed in flash floods and mudslides. He also mentioned that a total of 650 personnel from Military Region 2 and the police are working relentlessly to locate the missing victims.

In the past few days, Lao Cai has received assistance from numerous localities and organizations, and resources have been distributed effectively throughout the affected regions. The authorities are currently preoccupied with the treatment of the survivors and the search for the missing. The government has relocated the 35 remaining households from hazardous areas.

The province has designated approximately 20 hectares of land to conduct surveys and evaluations to guarantee that it is suitable for the reconstruction of the lives of affected residents in the long term. Technical personnel from the land management office conducted on-site measurements and positioned markers to delineate the boundaries of the land under survey that afternoon.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh professed deep sorrow as he observed the pain and loss of the populace, as well as the hardships faced by the search and rescue teams in recent days during his visit to the flood-stricken region. 

The Prime Minister also encouraged the provincial authorities of Lao Cai to concentrate their forces, make every effort, and concentrate on the search for the remaining missing victims. He directed that the aftermath of the disasters should be resolved, and if current methods are ineffective, new approaches must be implemented. Nu Village must be restored by December 31, and the Prime Minister must receive timely reports.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh insisted that the search for the missing individuals be continued and that search methods be modified to achieve the best possible results in the minimum amount of time while on-site. He also underscored the significance of promptly providing medical attention to the injured to prevent their health from deteriorating. In addition, to rescue efforts, the Prime Minister encouraged local authorities to expedite the cleanup of the environment to prevent the spread of diseases and to reestablish traffic to guarantee the flow of supplies and communication to the flood-affected regions.

This will not only assist in the restoration of infrastructure but also mitigate health risks and reconstruct the lives of the populace. The Prime Minister focused on the economy and education, directing the Ministry of Education and Training to collaborate with local authorities to restore educational facilities, thereby enabling students to return to school as soon as feasible. Additionally, the restoration of business and production activities is crucial for the creation of employment opportunities and sustainable livelihoods for the populace. The Prime Minister urged local authorities to closely monitor the situation, provide timely encouragement, and support residents in overcoming difficulties.

The Prime Minister issued a critical directive to the Lao Cai provincial government to expedite the survey and re-planning of Nu Village. "The safety of the location for the resettlement of the people must be assessed by the appropriate authorities by December 31." The objective is to establish a new residential area that is both secure and convenient, providing residents with a variety of amenities, including electricity, water, recreational areas, and a clean, green, and picturesque environment. The Prime Minister emphasized the urgency of this task in order to guarantee the long-term safety and stability of the populace in the aftermath of the natural disaster.

"This village was previously regarded as safe; however, it was not." Therefore, the Prime Minister underscored the necessity of meticulous planning for the construction of the new residential area.