A severe soil collapse happened on Tuesday and Wednesday along the Tien (Front) River in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap even though the affected area was protected with a costly dyke.

A strip of land 150 meters in length and 75m in width along the river section flowing through An Hiep Commune of Chau Thanh District has subsided, causing property damage to many families.

No human casualties have been reported so far.

The collapse occurred so quickly on Wednesday morning that locals could not have time to move their assets.

It was initially estimated that the destroyed assets were worth around VND1 billion (US$48,100).

Vo Van Phuoc, chairman of the People’s Committee of An Hiep, said he assigned 200 officials to support local residents immediately after the happenings.

“An Hiep authorities have presented each suffering family with VND4 million [$192] to temporarily stabilize their life.

“The inflicted may get further support in the coming time after all of the damage has been reported,” Phuoc added.

The affected area is strengthened by a 4,500m long dyke built at a cost of VND250 billion ($12 million).

However, soil collapse has struck the site during the past two years and seriously endangered the lives of local people.

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