At least 40 people killed in apartment building fire in Hanoi, Vietnam

A massive fire broke out on Tuesday evening at a nine-story apartment building in Thanh Xuân District, Hà Nội, resulting in the tragic loss of dozens of residents.

As of 5 a.m. on Wednesday, 70 people were successfully rescued from the building, and 54 of them were transported to hospitals for treatment.

While there have been multiple casualties, the exact number has not yet been officially verified.

The fire reportedly ignited at 11:50 p.m. on Tuesday on the ground floor and rapidly consumed the entire structure, which was heavily populated.

Covering an area of 200 square meters, the building accommodates 150 residents and is located in a narrow alley off Khương Hạ Street, making it challenging for rescue teams to reach.

According to a witness interviewed by the Vietnam News Agency, they awoke to the smell of smoke and improvised a rope ladder to assist their family in safely descending.

Another bystander, who saw flames engulfing the fifth and sixth floors and heard desperate cries for help, promptly notified the authorities.

During the early hours of Wednesday, Bạch Mai Hospital received 19 patients, including eight children. Associate Professor Đào Xuân Cơ, the hospital’s director, reported that two individuals unfortunately passed away while being transported to the facility.

Presently, one patient remains in critical condition. Although all eight children are now on ventilators, their conditions have stabilized.