Landslide in Lai Chau: 5 people missing during hydropower construction

On May 16, 2025, a severe rockslide occurred at the Ta Pao Ho 1A hydropower construction site in Lai Chau, causing multiple people to go missing and sustain injuries. This incident not only poses serious challenges to labor safety but also significantly impacts the construction progress of hydropower projects in the region. Let’s explore the details of the landslide, the rescue efforts, and the lessons learned from this unfortunate event.

1. Rockslide event in Lai Chau

At around 10:30 AM on May 16, 2025, a severe rockslide happened at the construction site of the Ta Pao Ho 1A hydropower project, located in Si Lo Lau commune, Phong Tho district, Lai Chau province. The consequences of this incident resulted in at least 5 people missing and many injured. According to initial information, during construction, Dung Phuc Loc Construction Investment Joint Stock Company, the project’s contractor, had some local workers on site. Particularly, while they were cleaning the foundation pit under the dam, a slope along the Mo Si San commune road collapsed, burying several people under rocks and soil.

2. Search for the missing persons

Immediately after the incident, rescue forces were urgently deployed to search for the missing individuals. The search team included local rescue units and volunteers who quickly arrived at the scene. However, the process faced many difficulties due to the rugged terrain and the large volume of soil and rocks involved. By the afternoon of the same day, the search teams confirmed that 5 people were buried and unreachable, while 3 others were taken to the hospital for treatment.

3. Impact of the rockslide on the hydropower project

The landslide not only caused human losses but also seriously affected the construction schedule of the Ta Pao Ho 1B hydropower project. The construction halt increased pressure and could lead to issues in the investment and development timeline of other projects under Kosy Group in Lai Chau. The economic damages also raised concerns about the safety of workers continuing to participate in similar projects in the area.

4. Labor safety in hydropower project construction

Landslide incidents at hydropower construction sites not only raise technical questions but also demand serious consideration of labor safety. Implementing safety regulations during construction, training workers, and preparing protective equipment are essential to minimize risks of injuries and fatalities. Contractors and investors must ensure that all safety measures are strictly followed to protect workers’ lives and health.

5. Introduction to Ta Pao Ho 1A and 1B hydropower projects

Ta Pao Ho 1A and 1B hydropower projects are an important cluster with a total capacity of 24 MW, built on the Ta Pao Ho stream basin. The Ta Pao Ho 1A project, with a capacity of 13.5 MW, applies modern technology including one main dam and three auxiliary dams. The total investment for the cluster is 911 billion VND, and it is one of the projects invested by Kosy Group in Lai Chau and Dien Bien.

6. Investment and development of hydropower resources in Lai Chau

Lai Chau is striving to develop hydropower resources, viewing it as a potential strength to serve local economic development. Investing in hydropower projects not only strengthens energy security but also opens opportunities for job creation, contributing to improving the living standards of local people.

7. Lessons from the Ta Pao Ho rockslide

The rockslide incident at the Ta Pao Ho hydropower site highlights the necessity to prepare and raise awareness about natural risks during construction projects. All parties involved, from contractors to authorities, need to learn from this incident to improve construction procedures and strictly apply labor safety measures. Only through these efforts can the loss of lives and adverse impacts on project timelines be minimized in the future.