Bank collapse sweeps away houses

VietNamNet Bridge – Four houses were swept away and seven others had to evacuate after a riverside bank collapsed on Monday evening in Vinh Binh Commune in the Mekong Delta Province of Ben Tre.

The dyke at Vinh Binh Commune in Cho Lach District is being strengthened. — VNA/VNS Photo

The landslide stretched for 350 metres and was more than 20 metres wide.

Ngo Thi Cam Huong, owner of one of the four collapsed houses, said recognising the signals, they fled the house minutes before it sank into the Co Chien River. The family lost all its belongings, she told e-newspaper Vnexpress.

Pham Anh Linh, deputy chairman of Cho Lach District’s People’s Committee, said the landslide caused no casualties.

A large area of vegetable gardens and fishing ponds were also affected. The loss to property was estimated at VND1.3 billion (US$57,200).

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, a landslide stretching for 50m destroyed eight metres of riverbank, prompting one household to evacuate.

Possible landslides still threaten the lives of 700 homes in the neighbourhood and is disrupting traffic linking Phu Da and Phu Binh villages.

The district’s People’s Committee has directed all forces to reinforce the embankment as well as being prepared to respond to more landslides. 

Source: VNS