At least 23 people have died in a devastating fire at a karaoke bar in southern Vietnam. Eleven others were injured on Wednesday evening, authorities said when a bar in Thuan An, a suburb of the economic metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, was believed to have caught fire after a short circuit.
The search for other possible victims continued. According to state media, flames quickly spread to the second and third floors of the four-story building. Numerous guests and bar staff tried in vain to escape through the smoky stairwell.
People jumped from the balcony
Some squeezed onto a balcony, others jumped down. When the fire service arrived, about 40 people were still in the burning building, a resident told news site VnExpress.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered a review of all vulnerable locations, especially the country’s popular karaoke bars. However, according to state media, the local police assured that fire safety measures in the bar and the 30 karaoke rooms were checked prior to the fire.
Protection rules are lax
Fires are common in Vietnam. Protective regulations are lax and the fire service is often poorly equipped. In 2018, 13 people were killed in a fire at a high-rise apartment in Ho Chi Minh City.
In 2016, a fire at a karaoke bar in the capital Hanoi killed 13 people trapped in soundproof booths. In August, three firefighters were killed trying to put out a fire at another karaoke bar in Hanoi.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
