Landslide, two female teachers buried

Nghe An Ms. Luong Thi Thanh Thuy and Ms. Vong Thi Thuong were buried by landslides while driving a motorbike through Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong district.

At 5:00 p.m. on September 29, Ms. Thuong and Thuy, teachers at Luu Kien Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, were riding a motorbike home from school. When they reached Highway 7, in Ban Ang, Xa Luong Commune, rocks and soil suddenly slid down from a mountainside dozens of meters high. Ms. Thuong, Thuy and the motorbike were crushed by many rocks and soil, pushed into the guardrail, and stuck on the negative slope.

Xiangyang District authorities dispatched excavators and mobilized many forces to level the rocks, soil, and trees. After 30 minutes, the two victims were rescued and taken to Xiangyang District Medical Center for emergency treatment.

According to the doctor, Ms. Thuy had broken ribs and Ms. Thuong had soft tissue injuries.

Scene of the landslide on National Highway 7, through Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong district. Photo: Gia Han — Scene of the landslide on National Highway 7, through Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong district. Photo: *Gia Han*

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhung, Principal of Luu Kien Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, said that tonight, Ms. Thuy and Ms. Thuong's health and mental state have stabilized. The school will arrange for teachers to teach them extra classes while they are receiving treatment.

Ms. Thuy is the team leader, Ms. Thuong teaches Biology. They have both worked at Luu Kien Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities for about 5 years.

Since September 26, heavy rains have caused widespread flooding in many mountainous districts in Nghe An. As the flood recedes, roads have been eroded and some structures have been damaged. According to the meteorological agency, some mountainous areas have been soaked with water and are at risk of landslides.