One dead as fire tears through Hanoi secondary school during exams

A fire engulfed Kim Lien Secondary School in Hanoi on Tuesday, resulting in one fatality and forcing the emergency evacuation of the facility during midterm examinations. Students and teachers were forced to flee the building as the fire spread, with many describing sudden alarm at the discovery of smoke and flames.

Seventh-grader Vy was among those studying for exams when the alarm was raised. "I smelled something burning, and then I heard my teacher and a security guard shouting for everyone to evacuate immediately," she recounted, describing the sudden shift from routine examination conditions to emergency chaos.

School staff responded swiftly to the emergency, directing students to exit the building as smoke filled corridors. Emergency services arrived at the scene to battle the blaze and begin rescue operations. The exact cause of the fire remained under investigation.

The incident has raised fresh questions about fire safety protocols at educational institutions across Vietnam. Authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the victim or the extent of damage to the school facility. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.