HANOI, Vietnam (Washington Insider Magazine)– According to state media, the number of people killed in a fire at a karaoke bar in southern Vietnam has increased to 32, and certain areas of the structure are still inaccessible over a day later.
Customers and employees were trapped inside the multi-story building in Thuan An city, Binh Duong province, when the fire broke out late Tuesday, according to official media. The fire was swiftly put out, but it continued to burn throughout the following day.
As of late Wednesday, 32 people had died in the fire, according to the Vietnam News Agency, and at least one storage room and one karaoke room had yet to be entered due to the high temperature.
Those who jumped from higher levels to attempt to survive the fire reportedly suffered broken limbs and asphyxiation injuries. Others were saved by fire crews using ladders from their trucks.
The families of the victims received condolence messages from President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who also ordered government authorities to assist the families and quickly identify the cause of the fire. According to ABC NEWS, the initial conclusion was that it was the result of an electrical short circuit and that it began on the second or third story.
In many regions of Southeast Asia, the enforcement of safety regulations at entertainment venues is occasionally low, which is thought to be a factor in the frequent fatalities that fires cause.
When a fire broke out in a bar in the eastern province of Chonburi in the beginning of August, many people were trapped inside because exits were locked or blocked, according to Thai police. The venue was hosting live entertainment without a permit.
23 people have died as a result of the incident, including 13 on the night of the disaster and 10 in the month that followed. Many of them had severe burns covering the whole of their bodies, making it quite difficult for them to prevent fatal infections. It’s believed that at least 5 additional victims are currently on ventilators.
