Construction workers flee after dam burst in Laos

This is the heart-stopping moment construction workers were forced to flee for their lives after a reservoir burst in Laos.

Dramatic footage shows people running around desperately as muddy water cascades past a farm in the Thathom district of the Xaysomboun province on Monday, September 11.

After several people manage to escape on foot, two people are seen running towards their trucks so they can drive away.

 After several people manage to escape on foot, two people are seen running towards their trucks so they can drive away

But as the water floods on to the mainland, the motorists get stuck behind a tractor and are heard beeping frantically as they try to escape

But as the water floods on to the mainland, the motorists get stuck behind a tractor and are heard beeping frantically as they try to escape. 

The trucks soon get swept up in the water.

Remarkably, no one was injured during the flood but farmland and crops for seven villages were affected.

The properties in the villages were not damaged.

Thathom district Governor Somboun Sonelitthideth told Vientiane Times: ‘Local officials are preparing to meet with staff from the dam construction company to discuss the possibility of compensation for the villagers. 

The trucks soon get swept up in the water. Remarkably, no one was injured during the flood but farmland and crops for seven villages were affected

Additional footage shows water cascading down a cliff in Laos during the flooding last week

‘They will send the results of their assessment of the damage to the company when they have completed their survey, probably within a week.’

It is thought that the water came from a reservoir which is under construction and located near the Nam Ao dam in Xieng Khuang province.

The reservoir is understood to have been damaged due to heavy rain.