"Lao Dam Collapse Caused by Heavy Rains, Faulty Construction: Minister", 26 July 2018

A high-ranking Lao official suggested...that a dam collapse earlier this week in Champassak province was the result of faulty construction and said the project’s developer should be held accountable, as the death toll from flooding has reached 30, with more than 20 hospitalized for injuries.

...Minister of Energy and Mines Khammany Inthirath...[said] that the burst was caused by “heavy rainfall” and “construction technique.”

Earlier...Khammany told reporters that the construction company should take full responsibility for the incident.

“I confirm that compensation will be given according to the concession agreement,” he said.

“Everything that happened is related to the dam construction, so the developer [Xe Pian Xe Namnoy Power Co. Ltd] must be held 100 percent accountable,” he added, without providing further details.

...[D]eath toll from the collapse had risen to 30...with more than 20 people hospitalized with related injuries...