After an extensive search operation by provincial authorities and the military, the deceased body of a missing Vietnamese citizen was found buried under a landslide in Khounkham District, Khammouane Province.
The incident occurred when heavy rainfall from 27 July to 2 August caused several landslides on road 8A from Phou Hay area, Khounkham village, Khounkham district, Khammouane province, to Nongkok village, Khamkeut district, Bolikhamxay province.
More than 70 people were stranded in the area, according to Mr. Keovilay Xayabouth, the Governor of Khounkham district, of whom 45 were Vietnamese.
On 6 August, Mr. Keovilay announced that all Vietnamese citizens have been found, apart from Duong Cong Long, 35, a resident of Ha Thinh Province, Vietnam who was still missing.
According to the Office of Information, Culture, and Tourism in Khounkham District, Duong Cong Long, who was a driver for Heng Seun Company in Vietnam, was found eight days later, on 14 August, and was pronounced dead.
His body was found under a huge landslide and was only accessible after using an excavator to remove the debris.
Currently, no information has been released by the Government on whether Long will be repatriated back to Vietnam, or if the deceased has any close relatives or family members in Laos who could arrange for his funeral.
