According to official media on Saturday, at least seven people were found dead in northern Vietnam when a landslide caused by intense rains swallowed the van they were riding in.

Northern Vietnam is currently in its rainy season, marked by intense downpours and flooding that make travel along mountainous roads perilous.

The landslide occurred around 4 am local time (2100 GMT), striking a 16-seater van traveling through Bac Me district in Ha Giang province, according to state media.

Rescuers retrieved the bodies of seven victims, including a young boy. Six others were found alive and transported to a nearby hospital, with rescuers continuing efforts to locate any missing individuals.

Images and footage shared on state media depicted excavators, ambulances, and a large contingent of rescue personnel at the muddy hillside where the incident occurred.

Reports indicated that three individuals traveling in another vehicle were also present at the scene during the landslide, but their status remains unclear.

Ha Giang province, known for its scenic motorcycle tours popular among foreign tourists, frequently experiences heavy flooding and landslides during the June to November rainy season.

In June of this year, three fatalities were reported due to severe flooding in Ha Giang province.

In 2023, natural calamities resulted in the loss of 169 lives or individuals reported missing across Vietnam.

Scientists have cautioned that global climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events worldwide.