UNLEASHED TORRENT
Where is Laos, why did the dam collapse, how many people are missing and how much water escaped?
State media say a hydroelectric dam has collapsed in southeastern Laos, leaving several people confirmed dead and hundreds missing
A DAM in Laos has collapsed with many feared dead.
The Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam in Attapeu province collapsed on Monday, July 24, releasing large amounts of water and sweeping away houses.
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Where is Laos?
Laos is a landlocked country in south east Asia.
Its neighbours are Vietnam, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia.
It's capital is Vientiane and it has a population of nearly 7million.
Laos is a poor communist republic led by Bounnhang Vorachith.
Why did the dam collapse?
The reasons behind the disaster are unclear at the moment
Environmental groups had raised concerns about Laos' hydropower ambitions for years.
Their fears included the negative impact the dams had on the Mekong River, its flora and fauna and the rural communities which depend on it.
The Xepian-Xe Nam Noy dam was constructed by a joint venture led by South Korean companies, with Thai and Lao partners.
It was scheduled to open later this year.
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How many people are missing?
At least 100 people are missing.
Officials have brought boats to help evacuate people in San Sai district of Attapeu province in the south east of the country as water levels rise after the dam collapsed, ABC Laos news reported.
How much water escaped?
This has not yet been established but the damn was known to hold back 5,000,000,000 (5billion) litres of water
Images show communities being overwhelmed by water.
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