Lang Nu Village Tragedy: A Community Lost

On the morning of September 10, 2024, the serene village of Lang Nu in Phuc Khanh commune, Bao Yen district, Lao Cai province, Vietnam, faced an unprecedented catastrophe. A massive flash flood, triggered by intense rainfall, swept through the community, forever altering the lives of its 128 residents.

Source: HONG QUANG, THAN HOANG, CHI TUE, TUAN PHUNG from tuoitre.vn

Impact

• Entire completely buried under mud and debris

• Over 36 people reported still missing

• 48 lives tragically lost, with bodies recovered amid the destruction

• More than 57 individuals injured and rescued

• Entire village infrastructure destroyed, including homes, roads, and community buildings

A Close-Knit Community

Lang Nu was home to 35 families, many of whom had lived there for generations. The village, known for its strong sense of community and traditional way of life, had never experienced such a disaster. Residents were caught completely off guard, highlighting the urgent need for improved early warning systems in vulnerable mountainous areas.

Immediate Response

Local authorities received the first distress call at 10:15 AM. However, the remote location and severe damage to infrastructure posed significant challenges:

• Roads were cut off, isolating the village

• Communication networks were completely disrupted

• Rescue teams had to navigate treacherous terrain to reach survivors

Despite these obstacles, a massive rescue operation was launched:

• Provincial and district-level emergency response teams were mobilized

• Military was called upon to provide additional support and equipment

• Medical professionals from various hospitals were dispatched to the scene

Rescue Efforts

By 2:00 PM, the first rescue teams managed to reach the village. Their tireless efforts led to the rescue of 10 survivors in the initial hours. By evening, they had recovered 15 bodies. Search and rescue operations continued throughout the night, with teams working in dangerous conditions.

As of 11:00 PM on September 10, rescue teams were still struggling to reach some parts of the village. Heavy rain continued, increasing the risk of further landslides. Road clearing operations were underway to improve access for rescue vehicles.

Medical Response

The Bao Yen District General Hospital activated its emergency protocols. Sixteen injured survivors were admitted for urgent care. Medical teams from provincial hospitals were deployed to assist. A "red alert" was issued to focus all available resources on treating disaster victims.

The Human Cost

Behind the numbers and statistics are individual stories of loss, survival, and heroism. Families were torn apart, with parents losing children and vice versa. Neighbors risked their lives to save one another. First responders worked around the clock in dangerous conditions, demonstrating extraordinary courage and dedication.

One such heartbreaking story is that of Hoang Van Thoi, a 33-year-old resident of Lang Nu. In the devastating flash flood on September 10, Thoi lost his mother, wife, and three children. Five days after the disaster, the body of his youngest son, just one-year-old, remained unfound.

"Since the day my mother, wife, and children passed away, I haven't been able to sleep. Every morning, I come here to search for my youngest son's body. He's the only one still not found," Thoi said, his voice choked with emotion as he dug through the rubble.

The flood took everything from Thoi: his family, two buffalo, and even his small cassava and corn fields. The memories of his family haunt him so much that he can't bear to return home, staying instead with his sister.

"I can't go back to my house now. Seeing family photos, I can't bear it. My biggest wish now is to find my youngest son's body so his soul can rest in peace," Thoi said, weeping.

Every day, rain or shine, Thoi returns to the flood-ravaged area of Lang Nu to search for his son, his grief undiminished.