Landslide triggered by typhoon Yagi claims four lives

A surge of soil inundates the house where five people were sleeping after its walls gave way. Four of them lost their lives in northern Hoa Binh province on Sept. 8, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Bieu

Around midnight, following hours of relentless rain, a section of a cassava-covered hill suddenly gave way, burying the one-story, flat-roofed home of 51-year-old Xa Van Nom. The house's walls collapsed, allowing a torrent of soil to flood the house where five people were sleeping.

Nom, who was in the outer room, managed to escape. Unfortunately, his 52-year-old wife, 27-year-old daughter, and two 6-year-old grandchildren were trapped under the debris. Their bodies were recovered shortly after the incident.

Local officials reported that the area experienced heavy rain, strong winds, and widespread power outages due to typhoon Yagi on Saturday. Many families were forced to evacuate during the night as rocks and soil posed a threat to their homes.

Typhoon Yagi initially made landfall on Vietnam's northern coastline with significant force, causing extensive damage in several northern provinces before reaching Hanoi on Saturday night.