HANOI: Torrential rains triggered a landslide in northern Vietnam killing at least 11 people and leaving some missing on Saturday.
According to state media, the incident occurred when the landslide buried a 16-seater van in Ha Giang province.
Rescue teams including soldiers and citizens had so far recovered 11 dead bodies and four injured, state-run Vietnam News Agency reported.
Local authorities said the actual number of people in the van was not known adding heavy rains were affecting search and rescue efforts.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed local authorities and relevant government agencies to promptly deal with the disaster and get ready to respond to more floods and landslides.
According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting around 280 mm of rain had hit the area over the past 24 hours. The agency warned of landslides, and flash floods, in the Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang and Yen Bai provinces.
Vietnam is prone to natural disasters, with typhoons and floods killing hundreds every year. According to the government, natural calamities killed 389 people and injured 668 last year.
