Hundreds missing, several feared dead, after Laos dam collapse: media

REUTERS - Hundreds of people are missing and several are feared dead after a hydropower dam under construction in Laos collapsed, causing flash flooding which swept away homes, state media reported on Tuesday (July 24). The dam collapsed at 1800 local time (1100 GMT) on Monday (July 23), local media reported, leaving more than 6,600 people homeless. Officials have brought boats to help evacuate people in San Sai district of Attapeu province, where the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam is located, as water levels rise after the collapse, ABC Laos news reported. The company building the dam said heavy rain and flooding caused the collapse and that it was cooperating with the Laos government to help rescue villagers. Communist Laos, one of Asia's poorest and most secretive countries, is land-locked and aims to become the "battery of Asia" by selling power to its neighbors through a series of hydropower dams. Environmental rights groups have for years raised concerns about Laos' hydropower ambitions.