Many killed in ‘huge fire’ at apartment block in Vietnam’s Hanoi

Many people have been killed in a “huge blaze” at an apartment block in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, according to state media, with operations under way to rescue survivors.

Many people have been killed in a “huge blaze” at an apartment block in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, according to state media, with operations under way to rescue survivors.

The fire broke out at about midnight local time on Wednesday but had been contained by 2am (19:00 GMT), the official Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported. It said dozens of people had died in the blaze that engulfed the nine-storey building, which was home to 150 people.

Some 70 people were rescued from the block, with 54 of them rushed to hospital, it said.

Authorities have yet to confirm the number of deaths.

The VN Express International website said hospitals had confirmed at least 11 deaths.

Several of the victims included children.