Typhoon Yagi Causes Deadly Landslides and Floods in Vietnam, Killing at Least 59

Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most powerful storm this year, has left at least 59 people dead in northern Vietnam due to severe floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains, according to state media.

The storm made landfall on Saturday, wreaking havoc across the region after previously impacting China and the Philippines.

The storm unleashed devastating rains across northern Vietnam, causing landslides, bridge collapses, and widespread flooding. Among the victims were six people, including two infants, who were killed by a landslide in the Hoang Lien Son mountains. A family of four also lost their lives when heavy rains caused a hillside to collapse onto their home in the Hoa Binh province.

One of the most tragic incidents occurred on Monday morning when a passenger bus carrying 20 people was swept away by floodwaters in Cao Bang province. Rescue operations were hindered by blocked roads due to landslides, making access to the site difficult.

In Phu Tho province, a steel bridge over the swollen Red River collapsed, causing several vehicles to plunge into the water. Rescuers managed to pull three survivors from the river, but 13 others remain missing.

The Vietnamese government reported widespread infrastructure damage, with power outages and disrupted telecommunications, particularly in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong provinces. In Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the storm caused 30 vessels to sink due to strong winds and waves.

Authorities have warned of continued risks from floods and landslides as heavy rainfall persists in the region, with water levels in several rivers reaching dangerous heights. Despite weakening into a tropical depression, Typhoon Yagi has left extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and agricultural land. The government is continuing rescue efforts and assessing the full impact of the storm as it works to restore power and aid affected communities.

With input from Al Jazeera, the Guardian, Reuters, and the Associated Press.