In Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, an apartment block caught fire on Wednesday, killing at least 30 people, including children, according to local media.
According to the official Vietnam News Agency (VNA), the fire started during the night in a nine-story building that is home to about 150 people. The blaze was put out by 2 a.m. local time (3 p.m. ET).
When contacted by Reuters, a Hanoi police officer stated that the exact number of victims had not yet been determined and declined to give further information.
The death toll was reported at 30 by state-run Dan Tri and Saigon Giai Phong, citing Hanoi police. The reports could not be immediately confirmed by Reuters.
During the day, a column of thick, dark smoke rose from the building, while nighttime television images showed firefighters on the scene with hoses and ladders.
Police stated that investigation into what caused the fire was underway.
According to Vu Hoang Phuong of the Hanoi Medical University Hospital and state media, several of the victims were taken to nearby hospitals with multiple injuries after jumping out of their windows to escape the fire.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the scene of the fire on Wednesday and called for the completion of anti-fire regulations at small-sized apartment buildings and in densely populated residential areas, according to a government statement.
Source-CNN
