At least 12 dead, 17 missing as Typhoon Bualoi slams into Vietnam

Vietnam: At least 12 people have been confirmed dead and 17 others remain missing after Typhoon Bualoi made landfall in Vietnam early Monday morning, unleashing torrential rain, powerful winds, and widespread destruction across several provinces, state media reported.

The typhoon struck just after midnight, battering the coastline with wind gusts and waves as high as 8 meters (26 feet), according to Vietnam’s national weather agency. Bualoi later weakened into a tropical storm as it moved inland toward neighboring Laos, but not before causing significant damage.

Flooding inundated roads and submerged vehicles in cities, while mountain communities were cut off due to landslides and washed-out bridges. Temporary bridges and low-water crossings were swept away, complicating rescue efforts.

Among the missing are 17 fishermen lost at sea, with rescue teams working around the clock in challenging conditions. In Quang Tri province, a fishing vessel broke free from its anchoring ropes due to strong winds. Of the nine crew members on board, four swam to safety, but five remain unaccounted for.

In Gia Lai province, families reported losing contact with eight individuals who had gone on a fishing trip before the storm hit.

The provinces of Hue, Thanh Hoa, and Ninh Binh reported structural collapses due to high winds. More than 347,000 households were left without power in the hours before landfall, further complicating communication and emergency response.

Nguyen Tuan Vinh, a resident of Nghe An province, was seen clearing debris from his property on Monday. Speaking to Reuters, he described Bualoi as “one of the strongest” storms he had experienced.

Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to remain vigilant, as rescue operations continue and water levels remain dangerously high in some regions.