HANOI – A catastrophic landslide on a perilous mountain pass in Vietnam has claimed six lives and left 19 others injured after engulfing a passenger bus. The tragedy occurred amid forecasts of continued heavy rainfall throughout the week.
The bus was caught in the landslide late Sunday while navigating the Khanh Le pass in the central highlands, as reported by state media. This picturesque yet hazardous 33-kilometer (20-mile) route, etched into steep mountainsides, is popular with tourists but is notoriously vulnerable to landslides during the rainy season.
The landslide severely damaged the front of the bus, trapping many passengers inside. Rescuers faced significant challenges reaching the site, as the heavy rain had triggered additional landslides on both sides of the pass, blocking access. It was only after midnight that rescue teams managed to arrive at the scene, according to state media.
The ill-fated bus was transporting 32 passengers from Ho Chi Minh City. It was en route from Da Lat, located in Vietnam’s central highlands, to the coastal city of Nha Trang.
Survivors were quickly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. However, the difficult terrain continued to pose problems, with state media reporting that the remains of two victims were still trapped under the debris.
Central Vietnam is currently being battered by relentless rainfall, a consequence of the earlier impact of Typhoon Kalmaegi. Predictions indicate that by Wednesday, rainfall could reach between 30 to 60 centimeters (12 to 24 inches) in some areas, with certain places potentially seeing totals exceeding 85 centimeters (33 inches).
Heavy rain caused flooding and landslides in mountainous areas of Hue city on Sunday, blocking a major highway that runs from northern to southern Vietnam and cutting off several villages. The former imperial capital has already endured historic floods this year.
Vietnam is among the world’s most flood-prone countries, with nearly half its population living in high-risk areas. Scientists warn that a warming climate is intensifying storms and rainfall across Southeast Asia, making floods and landslides increasingly destructive and frequent.
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