HANOI: At least 56 were killed, and more than 37 others sustained burn injuries as a fire engulfed an apartment block in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, according to the Hanoi police department’s official statement. This tragedy marks Vietnam’s deadliest fire in two decades and has raised concerns over fire safety regulations and escape routes in residential buildings.
The catastrophic fire erupted just before midnight on Tuesday, originating in the parking floor of the 10-story building, an area densely packed with motorbikes, as reported by witnesses at the scene. Among the victims were at least three children, as confirmed by state media.
One resident in the vicinity of the apartment block, identified only as Hoa, described the horrifying scene, saying, “I heard a lot of shouts for help. We could not help them much.” She further emphasized the dire circumstances inside the building, stating, “The apartment is so closed with no escape route, impossible for the victims to get out.”
Devastation Caused by Hanoi Apartment Fire
Photographs captured by AFP photographers at the site depicted flames and smoke billowing from barred balconies, illustrating the perilous conditions faced by residents trapped within the complex.
Although the fire was extinguished by Wednesday morning, rescue efforts endured for hours as responders struggled to gain access to the building. Situated down a narrow alley in a residential area of southwest Hanoi, the complex presented additional challenges due to its small balconies encircled by iron bars. Moreover, the apartment block had only a single exit and lacked an emergency ladder on the exterior.
Images from the scene revealed a stark line of charred motorbikes on the ground floor, where the fire had initially ignited. Authorities have estimated that approximately 150 people resided in the complex, underscoring the scale of the tragedy.
In response to the devastating incident, the owner of the apartment block has been arrested on suspicion of violating fire prevention regulations, as confirmed by Hanoi police.
