A hailstorm struck the Sikhottabong district of the Lao capital Vientiane on Sunday, causing extensive damage to homes, vehicles, and public facilities and affecting more than 2,000 households, the Lao Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare reported Tuesday.
Residents in Sikhottabong's Viengkham Village said that houses were damaged, with debris scattered inside homes as rain poured through damaged roofs.
The sudden hailstorm also damaged many vehicles parked outdoors, severely disrupting local residents' lives.
"Both sides of the roof were completely destroyed. A huge hail stone punched through the roof and fell into the house with a loud crackling sound," said a resident.
"I was hit on the head by hail stones. My mother, who was at home, was also struck on the head," said another resident.
On Monday, Lao Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Phoxay Sayasone visited the affected areas to assess the situation, provide support to residents, and deliver emergency relief supplies.
Officials said efforts are underway to secure construction materials to accelerate repairs to damaged homes. The ministry is also planning longer-term recovery measures to restore livelihoods, with targeted assistance to affected households.
Hailstorm hits Laos, affecting over 2,000 families
More attacks on merchant vessels have been reported at the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, with many of the incidents occurring along shipping routes near the Omani side of the strait.
In a statement on Friday, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said that since the beginning of the U.S. and Israel's conflict with Iran, 15 of its vessels have been attacked by missiles and drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, including three attacked this week. These incidents have left one crew member dead and 20 others injured.
In close coordination with the relevant authorities, ADNOC is taking all necessary measures to protect its personnel, assets and operations, and meet its customer requirements as much as possible, the statement reads.
A merchant vessel caught fire after being struck near the eastern entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a recording of ship-to-ship radio communications provided by a seafarer on Friday evening, London Time.
The recording, transmitted over an open maritime radio channel, showed crew members battling a fire and urgently requesting assistance.
According to the communications, the vessel was near the Omani coast when it was struck, sparking a fire in the engine room.
The crew had activated the ship's on-board carbon dioxide fire suppression system and attempted to control the blaze. Firefighting efforts were complicated by a failure of the ship's hydraulic system, the recording indicated.
In another segment of the communications, several nearby vessels said they were heading toward the site to provide assistance.
More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz
