More than 1,000 people along with various vehicles and equipment were mobilized for a fire drill at Tan Cang Station, the largest elevated station on the first metro line in Ho Chi Minh City, on Friday.

The hypothetical situation for the drill unfolded when a three-carriage train was carrying 800-1,000 passengers on the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien direction from District 1 to Thu Duc City and was some 100 meters from the Tan Cang Station when it faced an electrical problem and burst into flames, emitting toxic smoke.

As the doors of the train were hard to open, passengers were told to move to another carriage to escape the train.

During the movement, they jostled others, injuring some people.

Firefighters evacuate passengers to safety. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Thirty people who were trapped inside the train and those at the station suffered smoke inhalation. 

All of them got into a state of panic.

The train and station operator immediately evacuated passengers to safety and strived to extinguish the fire.

Passengers are instructed to escape the fire through exits at Tan Cang Station in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Professional firefighters and rescuers under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security later rushed to the scene after being informed of the case, bringing specialized equipment and vehicles, to put out the fire, prevent it from spreading and save passengers.

Police dogs are mobilized to find victims. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Firefighters use a ladder truck to access the elevated track to put out the fire and save passengers. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Dozens of firefighters continuously spray water to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

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