VIENTIANE, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines is ready to join with all stakeholders in a government mission to investigate the cause of the damage to saddle dam D at the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower project, which resulted in serious flooding in southern Laos' Attapeu province, local online newspaper Vientiane Times reported Friday.
"We have set up a committee to deal with this investigation. I think we are ready to perform our duty," said the Ministry's Office Head Daovong Phonekeo.
The committee would also invite countries whose companies were registered as shareholders in the hydropower project to carry out an intensive investigation. The World Bank and other internationally recognized independent experts would also take part in the investigation.
The Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith pledged to carry out an investigation into the real cause of the collapse, to determine whether heavy rainfall or the technical standards applied to the construction of the dam was to blame.
The Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydroelectric power project, are invested by South Korean, Thai and Lao companies. The dam burst on July 23, unleashing huge amount of water to 13 villages of Sanamxay district. As of Friday, 23 people have been confirmed dead, 108 remains missing from the tragedy.
