Two massive landslides in central Vietnam killed at least eight villagers and buried 45 others on Wednesday, sending rescuers on a massive search mission. 

The first reported landslide trapped eight people under a mound of earth and debris in Tra Van Commune, Nam Tra My District, Quang Nam Province at around 2:00 pm on Wednesday.

The bodies of all eight victims had been recovered by 9:00 am on Thursday.

Meanwhile, another serious landslide hit Village 1 in Tra Leng Commune, situated about 45 kilometers from Tra Van, where more than 49 residents live.

Four of the residents were able to escape the landslide while the 45 others have yet to be found.

Rescue forces are still scrambling to reach Village 1, the entrance to which was blocked by thousands of cubic meters of earth and rock as of 9:15 am on Thursday. 

There are a total of five blockages on National Highway 40B.

The 5th Military Region of the People’s Army of Vietnam began clearing the highway on Wednesday night, risking further injury should any of the large boulders perched on the hills along the road fall, according to Lieutenant General Nguyen Long Cang, Commander of the 5th Military Region.

The 5th Military Region mobilized 210 officers for the rescue mission and hopes to clear National Highway 40B to reach the remaining victims as early as possible, Cang said. 

“We prepared food and supplies for seven days,” he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung also arrived at the blocked National Highway 40B at 8:00 am on Thursday.

As of 10:15 am on Thursday, the first blockage had been cleared.

Tra Leng Commune is located in the north of Nam Tra My District, nearly 32 kilometers from the district center. 

Only two out of its four villages have motorways to the commune center.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!