As many as 13 people died and 28 others were injured when a blaze burned an apartment complex at No 1648 Vo Van Kiet street, District 8 of Ho Chi Minh City in early morning of 23 March, reported local authorities.

About 200 firemen were sent to the site to control the blaze (Photo: VNA)

Initial information showed that the blaze started at 0:30 from the parking basement between Buildings A and B of Carina Plaza. Hundreds of people were stuck and rushed to upper storeys.

The Fire Fighting Police Department of the city sent 34 fire trucks and 200 police to the site to control the blaze and rescue stuck people. One hour later, the fire was under control, but smoke still covered the buildings. Hundreds of people escaped safely.

According to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Huong from the department, most of the 13 victims died from suffocation. Five autos and over 150 motorbikes were completely damaged.

Carina Plaza is a high-end apartment complex including three buildings with 15-21 storeys and 736 apartments. It was put into use 6 years ago.

(Source: VNA)