Vietnam: 12 dead in bar – Trapped in building engulfed in flames

At least 12 people were killed overnight Tuesday-Wednesday (7/9) at a karaoke bar in Binh Diong, near Ho Chi Minh City, in the south Vietnama local official told AFP, adding that 11 other people were injured.

“Rescue crews are on the scene looking for victims. The cause of the fire has not been determined and an investigation is underwaysaid the official, Nguyen Tan Ham.

THE fire destroyed the 2nd and 3rd floors of the four-story building, trapping customers and staff inside, according to state media.

“Many people were able to save themselves by exiting the main entrance, but many others jumped from floors, resulting in broken limbs,” an eyewitness told the VNExpress news website, as reported by the Athens News Agency.

This is the deadliest fire in Vietnam after the one in an apartment building in Ho Chi Minh City in 2018 with 13 dead.

A similar tragedy with 13 deaths had unfolded in 2016 at a karaoke bar in the capital Hanoi. It had prompted authorities to begin inspections of nightclubs over suspicions they were flouting basic safety rules, especially fire safety.

In August, three firefighters died trying to put out a fire at a karaoke bar in Hanoi.