In the early hours of June 26, 2025, a devastating landslide struck Yen Bai city in northern Vietnam, claiming the life of a young student and destroying a home. The tragedy unfolded around 12:10 a.m. in alley 1026, group 15, Dong Tam ward, where heavy rains had been battering the region since the previous night.
The victim, Pham Trung H., born in 2010, had just begun his journey as a 10th-grade student at Hoang Quoc Viet High School. His family, originally from Hai Duong province, had recently relocated to Yen Bai for work and were temporarily staying at the home of Vu Van Cuong. Despite early signs of danger, which led his family to evacuate the premises around 11 p.m. on June 25, Pham Trung H. refused to leave, reportedly upset with his parents.
Tragically, the talus slope behind the house suddenly collapsed, sending a massive volume of earth and debris down onto two adjacent homes. One of these homes was completely buried under the landslide. While four residents managed to escape unharmed, Pham Trung H. was trapped beneath the rubble.
Local authorities responded swiftly. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Thuy, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Yen Bai Provincial Military Command, confirmed that over 30 officers and soldiers were mobilized to assist in the search and rescue efforts. They helped the family recover the victim's body and moved household belongings to safer locations. Due to the sheer amount of earth involved, the military coordinated with local government bodies to deploy machinery to clear the debris.
The Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police of Yen Bai Province also played a crucial role, dispatching 15 officers and three specialized vehicles to the scene. Their efforts focused on evacuating residents to safety and collaborating with other agencies to conduct search and rescue operations.
By approximately 3:30 a.m., rescue teams located Pham Trung H.’s body buried in the wreckage. The family later transported his remains back to Hai Duong for burial according to local customs.
This heartbreaking incident took place amid persistent heavy rainfall that has been affecting the northern midland and mountainous regions of Vietnam. According to data from the Vrain automatic rainfall monitoring system, Yen Bai recorded 158 mm of rain, while nearby provinces such as Son La and Phu Tho saw 115 mm each, Ha Giang 99 mm, Lai Chau 85 mm, and Dien Bien 51 mm.
The ongoing downpour has heightened the risk of landslides and flash floods across a wide area that includes Lao Cai, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, and Lang Son. Roads have suffered from flooding and landslides, disrupting daily life and posing significant hazards to residents.
Local authorities have continuously issued warnings, urging people to remain vigilant, especially those living in steep, mountainous terrain. They advise prompt evacuation at the first signs of ground movement or flooding to prevent further casualties and property damage.
The tragedy in Yen Bai underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness and preparedness in the face of increasingly severe weather events. It also highlights the vital role played by coordinated efforts among military, police, and local government forces in responding to natural disasters.
As the region copes with these challenges, the community mourns the loss of a promising young student whose life was cut short by nature’s unforgiving force. The incident serves as a somber reminder that vigilance and swift action can be the difference between life and death during such emergencies.
