A massive fire broke out at an apartment building in Hanoi, Vietnam, killing at least a dozen people and injuring dozens more.
The fire started late Tuesday night and quickly spread through the nine-story building, which is located in a narrow alley. Fire trucks had to park 300 to 400 meters away, making it difficult to fight the blaze.
Many residents were at home when the fire started, and some were trapped inside. Firefighters rescued 70 people from the building, but at least 54 were injured. The death toll is expected to rise.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but police have launched an investigation.
This is the deadliest fire in Hanoi in recent years. In 2022, a fire at a three-story karaoke bar in southern Vietnam killed 32 people.
The fire has raised concerns about fire safety in Vietnam. The country has a poor record of fire safety, and many buildings are not up to code.
Authorities are urging residents to be more careful and to take steps to prevent fires, such as installing smoke detectors and fire alarms.
