In a tragic fire incident in a Hanoi apartment building, 56 lives were lost, including ten children, as per police reports on Thursday. Witnesses recounted harrowing tales of some residents taking the desperate measure of jumping from higher floors to evade the flames.
The exact cause of the fire, which ignited in the nine-story building in Vietnam’s capital and continued until Wednesday morning, remains undisclosed by authorities.
On Thursday morning, following the extinguishing of the blaze, the only hint of fire was the incense burning outside the apartment, part of a temporary memorial established by loved ones to honour the deceased.
Early accounts from witnesses suggest the fire may have originated from an electrical switchboard on the ground level. This floor also functioned as parking for about 80 bikes and motorbikes and was soon filled with thick smoke, making it difficult to escape.
Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen shared her experience with AP, describing how her family was jolted awake by cries of “fire” from their first-floor apartment. Amidst dense smoke, she, along with her son, husband, and father-in-law, escaped, but her mother-in-law was trapped. However, with the help of a ladder provided by a neighbour, her husband and mother-in-law eventually managed to evacuate. “Although we lost everything, the fact that we all made it out is a blessing,” Huyen expressed.
Pham Thu Hang, a local pharmacist, witnessed the escalating panic as residents from higher floors started to jump. She recalled, “People were so terrified that many didn’t wait for cushions, landing on hard surfaces. The jumps were desperate but seen as a better chance than being stuck inside.”
Hanoi authorities conveyed the devastating news that some victims were entire families. As of now, 39 out of the 56 deceased have been identified. Additionally, 37 people sustained injuries, with half being admitted to Bach Mai Hospital. The hospital’s director, Dao Xuan Co, mentioned several of them had severe head and spine injuries and broken bones.
To commemorate the victims, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Cabinet paused for a minute’s silence in their Thursday meeting.
The Hanoi high-rise tragedy underscores the urgency of rigorous safety measures and infrastructure checks for multi-story buildings. As the community grieves and rallies around those affected, the incident becomes a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the shared responsibility of ensuring public safety. As investigations continue, the hope remains that such a catastrophe can be prevented in the future.