A coal mine collapse near Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay has tragically claimed the lives of five miners following heavy rainfall, state media reported on Tuesday.
The disaster struck on Monday at a mine operated by the Hon Gai Coal Company, a subsidiary of Vietnam’s state coal miner Vinacomin, according to the VNExpress news site. Rescue teams recovered the bodies of the miners, aged between 23 and 47, early Tuesday morning.
Disaster authorities reported that heavy rainfall in Ha Long City, located in the northern Quang Ninh province, contributed to the accident. The torrential rains led to landslides and significant flooding in several homes.
The severe weather has not been confined to Ha Long City alone. Other northern regions of Vietnam have experienced heavy rainfall for several days, causing flash floods and landslides. On the outskirts of Hanoi, several communities have been submerged in floodwaters for over a week.
Scientists have long warned that climate change is intensifying and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events worldwide.
Despite efforts to improve its green credentials, Vietnam remains heavily reliant on coal-fired power plants. The country has a troubling history of deadly mining accidents. In Quang Ninh province alone, seven miners have died since April. Last year, local reports indicated that at least ten workers died in accidents at Vietnam’s state-run coal and mining group.
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