On October 12, authorities in Quang Binh evacuated 157 households with about 750 people including locals and tourists in Phong Nha town (Bo Trach district, Quang Binh) to blast a large 300-ton rock block that was cracked high above.

Specifically, due to the impact of rains, floods and changes in temperature and weather, since the end of September 2024, in the Xuan Tien residential area (Phong Nha town), a large crack appeared on the rocky mountain with a high risk of causing landslides.

At the crack, a rock weighing more than 300 tons appeared, precariously perched on the mountainside, waiting to fall down below at any moment.

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The location of the 300-ton rock hanging on the mountainside threatens the lives and property of people in Phong Nha town area. Photo: Contributor

The location of the cracked rock is 17m from the tax office, about 50m above ground level, 30m from the Phong Nha Tourist Center residential area and about 50m from Provincial Road 562.

The current crack is about 50cm wide and 100m long. If it falls, the rock will directly endanger 8 households and agencies and units in the area, and affect traffic and tourism activities on Provincial Road 562.

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The 300-ton rock was successfully detonated. Photo: Contributor

After discovering the landslide location, with large rocks appearing dangerously, the People's Committee of Quang Binh province declared an emergency situation regarding the landslide disaster here. At the same time, it requested the local government to coordinate with the military to urgently handle the situation and ensure the safety of the people.

After studying the terrain, geology, planning and options, the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command presided over and coordinated with Bo Trach district to plan, organize forces, survey and decide to handle the cracked rock to ensure absolute safety of life and property for people and state agencies and units in the area.

At 1:00 p.m. the same day, the engineering force successfully detonated the rock.

Immediately after completing the blasting of the 300-ton boulder, the authorities inspected the scene. Officers and soldiers of the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command coordinated with the People's Committee of Bo Trach District, local departments, agencies, local authorities and local residents to clean up the scene and quickly return all activities to normal.