A Vietnamese court on Friday sentenced eight individuals to prison in connection with a devastating fire that engulfed a Hanoi apartment block in September 2023, claiming 56 lives in the country’s deadliest fire in two decades.
Severe Violations of Fire Safety Regulations
The nine-story building, which had only one exit and lacked an external emergency ladder, became a death trap as flames spread rapidly. Residents and neighbors reported hearing desperate screams as people struggled to escape through barred windows.
The court found the building’s owner, Nghiem Quang Minh, guilty of violating fire prevention regulations and sentenced him to 12 years in prison, stating that he deserved the most severe punishment for his role in the tragedy.
Negligence Among Local Authorities
In addition to the owner, seven local officials received prison sentences ranging from 30 months to seven years for negligence in failing to properly report and address the building’s safety violations.
According to the court’s findings, one side of the apartment block had no windows at all, while another had only small ventilation slots, severely limiting escape routes.
“Extremely Dangerous Actions” with Devastating Consequences
The court condemned Minh’s actions as extremely dangerous, emphasizing that his failure to comply with fire safety regulations led to catastrophic loss of life and property damage.
“Among the dead and injured were several children and multiple members of the same families, causing immense suffering,” the verdict stated.
The Hanoi apartment fire stands as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety compliance, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of building regulations in Vietnam.
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Source: Vietnam Insider