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Dozens dead after fire rips through apartment block in Vietnam as child is thrown from building to escape the flames

DOZENS have died in horror apartment block fire in Vietnam that saw a small boy being thrown from the burning building.

Witnesses reported hearing screams coming from inside the 10-storey block as people trapped inside desperately tried to flee.

The fire started just before midnight on Tuesday on the parking floor, an area packed with motorbikes

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The fire started just before midnight on Tuesday on the parking floor, an area packed with motorbikesCredit: EPA
Emergency services rescued around 70 people as 54 were rushed to hospital

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Emergency services rescued around 70 people as 54 were rushed to hospitalCredit: AP
A witness said the apartment block had no designated escape route, making it impossible for those trapped inside to flee

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A witness said the apartment block had no designated escape route, making it impossible for those trapped inside to fleeCredit: AFP

Emergency services rescued around 70 people as 54 were rushed to hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital.

Three children are among the dozens who died in the horror blaze.

Many of those taken to hospital are thought to have also died, MailOnline reports.

The fire started just before midnight on Tuesday on the parking floor, an area packed with motorbikes.

Hoa, a woman who lives nearby, told local media: “I heard a lot of shouts for help. We could not help them much.

“The apartment is so closed with no escape route, impossible for the victims to get out.” 

The building, which was home to around 150 people, had only a single exit.

With no emergency fire escape on the outside of the block, and balconies surrounded by iron bars, desperate residents were trapped inside.

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Another witness, Huong, described seeing a young boy being thrown from a high floor in a last-ditch attempt to save his life.

“I was about to sleep when I smelled something. I went outside and saw the fire,” she said.

“The smoke was everywhere. There was a little boy thrown from a high floor, I don’t know whether he survived or not although people used a mattress to catch him.”

Emergency services managed to put out the fire by Wednesday morning.

But rescuers still struggled to access the destroyed complex, which is down a narrow alley in a residential area of southwest Hanoi.

The deputy prime minister, Tran Luu Quang, visited the scene on Wednesday morning, state media said.

Vietnam’s prime minister Pham Minh Chinh went to Bach Mai hospital and spoke with doctors as he visited survivors of the fire.

One witness described seeing a young boy being thrown from a high floor in a last-ditch attempt to save his life

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One witness described seeing a young boy being thrown from a high floor in a last-ditch attempt to save his lifeCredit: AFP
Many of those taken to hospital are thought to have also died following the brutal fire

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Many of those taken to hospital are thought to have also died following the brutal fireCredit: AFP
Emergency services can be seen transporting victims to the hospital in Hanoi

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Emergency services can be seen transporting victims to the hospital in HanoiCredit: AFP
Vietnam's prime minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks with doctors as he visits a survivor of the fire at Bach Mai hospital

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Vietnam’s prime minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks with doctors as he visits a survivor of the fire at Bach Mai hospitalCredit: AFP
Even after the fire was put out on Wednesday it was difficult for rescuers to reach survivors in the complex, which is located down a narrow alley in a residential area

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Even after the fire was put out on Wednesday it was difficult for rescuers to reach survivors in the complex, which is located down a narrow alley in a residential areaCredit: AFP
Family members of those hurt in the blaze can be seen waiting nearby for information about their loved ones

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Family members of those hurt in the blaze can be seen waiting nearby for information about their loved onesCredit: AFP
Firefighters were able to have the blaze under control by Wednesday

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Firefighters were able to have the blaze under control by WednesdayCredit: AFP

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