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Hundreds of people are missing and an unknown number believed to be dead after a hydropower dam collapsed in southeast Laos. In this image, a resident sits on the banks of Rio Doce (Doce River), flooded with mud after a dam, owned by Vale SA and BHP Billiton Ltd, burst in Linhares, Brazil, Nov. 21, 2015. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Hundreds of people are missing and several others are feared dead after a hydropower dam collapsed in southeast Laos on Tuesday.

According to local media reports, the accident took place in southeastern Attapeu province Monday, releasing five billion cubic meters of water. Several boats were called in to help evacuate people in San Sai district of Attapeu province as water levels raised drastically after the incident. Xe Pien-Xe Namnoy Power Company constructed the dam.

The collapse caused flash floods in six villages, sweeping away several homes and leaving 6,600 homeless. Images and videos on social media showed several people fleeing through the muddy water holding elderly relatives and children, and houses under water.

According to state media, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith visited the affected areas along with senior officials to monitor relief efforts, postponing all the meeting scheduled for the day. Local authorities have appealed for help to provide emergency aid for the victims.

Several environmental rights groups have raised concerns about the hydropower ambitions in Laos over the years. They feared about the impact of dams on the Mekong River and its flora and fauna, especially as local economies are dependent on the river.

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