A massive fire in an apartment building in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, has resulted in the known death of at least 56 people, with dozens more sustaining injuries. According to the police, 37 individuals were injured, and they have identified 39 of the victims. Although the fire, which erupted during the night, has been brought under control, ongoing rescue efforts are in progress.
Authorities in the rapidly growing city of Hanoi have expressed concerns about the inadequate adherence to fire safety regulations in many newly constructed apartments. Over the past two decades, the city’s population has quadrupled to 5.25 million residents.
The exact cause of the fire is under investigation, but witnesses reported that it originated on the parking floor of the building, which was densely packed with motorcycles. Residents recounted hearing a loud explosion around 23:00 local time on Tuesday (16:00 GMT) and subsequently witnessing thick black smoke engulfing the building.
Some families had to resort to breaking through metal railings blocking their windows and using ladders to reach neighboring buildings for escape. Trapped victims inside faced immense difficulties due to the lack of viable escape routes within the closed-off apartment complex.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes, including a young boy being thrown from a high floor in an attempt to rescue him from the flames, with uncertain outcomes. Firefighters dispatched 15 fire engines to the scene, but narrow alleyways around the burning apartment building hindered their access. This incident underscores the challenges associated with fire safety management in rapidly expanding and poorly regulated urban areas in the region.
This tragic event recalls a similar incident from a year ago when 33 people lost their lives in a fire at a karaoke club in southern Vietnam. The tragedy was exacerbated by windows being bricked up, preventing escape. Such incidents have occurred in various South East Asian countries, including Thailand, where subsequent investigations revealed either inadequate regulations or a lack of enforcement in fire safety measures.
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