Over 7,000 people showcase quick response during fire drill in downtown Ho Chi Minh City
Sunday, January 12, 2025, 12:14 GMT+7
Nearly 7,220 people from 23 units were mobilized for a fire drill on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street and at Bach Dang Wharf Park in downtown Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday.
Firefighting forces and police officers demonstrated swift and coordinated action during a fire drill simulating a high-stakes scenario: a fireworks show drawing large crowds of residents and tourists, with fires breaking out on a cruise ship and in surrounding streets.
The drill unfolded at key locations, including Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, Bach Dang Wharf Park, and the Saigon River wharf.
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| Duong Ngoc Hai, vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, speaks at a fire drill event on January 11, 2025. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre |
The hypothetical situation for the drill entailed the city organizing the fireworks display at the square in the Thu Thiem New Urban Area along the Saigon River, while a festival was taking place on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street.
The festival featured the participation of several top officials and international diplomats, as well as residents and tourists.
During the event, an electrical system malfunction caused a fire and explosion at the outdoor main stage, which spread across the entire stage area shortly.
The thermal radiation from the blaze triggered several fire extinguishers to explode, leading to the collapse of the stage.
Thousands of revelers ran in panic, while many jostled, fell down, and trampled on others, leading to hundreds of people injured.
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| Lieutenant General Le Hong Nam, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security, delivers his speech at a fire drill in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, January 11, 2025. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre |
Meanwhile, the cruise ship departing from a quay in the Bach Dang wharf area with a large number of passengers on board caught fire.
The passengers were sent into a state of panic and attempted to exit the cruise ship. As kitchen workers aboard the boat fled, they forgot to turn off the gas stoves, compounding the issue.
Many passengers were injured and got stuck on the ship, while some jumped into the river as they tried to escape.
Rescuers promptly acted to save those who had fallen into the river, while speedboats were mobilized to the river to fight the flames.
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| The context of the fire drill involves Ho Chi Minh City hosting a festival on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, but suddenly the stage catches fire due to an electrical problem. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre |
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| Thousands of revelers run in panic, while many jostle, fall down, and trample on others, leading to hundreds of people injured. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre |
There was also a traffic crash between two cars and a truck carrying medical chemicals at Ton Duc Thang-Ham Nghi Intersection, leaving four people trapped in the vehicles.
The two cars were totaled and a fuel leak caused another fire. Plastic bottles with chemicals also broke and spilled into the road.
Firefighters, police officers, and medical workers rapidly took action to rescue victims.
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| Due to frightened residents crowding Ton Duc Thang Street in Ho Chi Minh City, a traffic crash occurs between two cars and a truck carrying medical chemicals at Ton Duc Thang-Ham Nghi Intersection, causing a fire and explosion. Firefighters are quickly dispatched to the scene for rescue efforts. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre |
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| Many injured people are taken out of the fire scene and transported to ambulances for medical checkups. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre |
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| The passengers go into a state of panic and attempt to exit the cruise ship. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre |
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| Speedboats are mobilized to the scene where the cruise ship is on fire to spray water onto it. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre |
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| An ambulance quickly arrives at the scene of a fire drill in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Minh Hoa / Tuoi Tre |
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