A devastating fire engulfed a nine-floor apartment building in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, leaving 56 people dead and dozens more injured in its wake. The inferno, which broke out around midnight local time on Wednesday, was ultimately contained by 02.00. (19:00 GMT), as reported by the official Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
The Hanoi police department confirmed the grim toll in a statement, revealing that 56 individuals had tragically lost their lives, with 37 others suffering injuries during the blaze. Among the casualties were four children, according to state-owned national television channel VTV.
The ill-fated building served as the residence for approximately 150 people, and many residents had to be treated for smoke inhalation and injuries sustained while attempting to escape the rapidly spreading fire.
Television footage captured the heroic efforts of firefighters, armed with hoses and ladders, working tirelessly through the night to combat the blaze. By daybreak, a thick, dark column of smoke billowed from the structure, serving as a grim reminder of the tragedy that had unfolded.
A harrowing account from a witness near the scene described the horrifying situation, stating, “I heard a lot of shouts for help. We could not help them much. The apartment is so closed with no escape route, impossible for the victims to get out.” Another heart-wrenching incident involved a small child being thrown from a high floor in a desperate attempt to escape the flames.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the site of the tragedy, as well as survivors in the hospital, and promptly ordered a thorough investigation into the fire. This incident marks yet another devastating fire in Vietnam, adding to a troubling trend of such occurrences in recent years, often in entertainment venues like popular karaoke bars.
Just a year ago, a fire in a three-story karaoke bar in Ho Chi Minh City claimed 32 lives and left 17 others injured. The bar owner was subsequently arrested on charges related to fire prevention regulations. In the aftermath, the prime minister initiated inspections of all high-risk venues.
Prior to that, in 2018, thirteen people lost their lives in an apartment complex fire in Ho Chi Minh City, and in 2016, another 13 perished in a Hanoi karaoke venue due to a fire.
