Vietnam Sentences Eight Over Hanoi Apartment Fire That Killed 56
Court delivers verdict in country’s deadliest blaze in two decades
A Vietnamese court has sentenced eight people to jail over a devastating fire that tore through a Hanoi apartment block in 2023, killing 56 people. The building, which had only one exit and no emergency ladder, became a death trap as residents struggled to escape.
The court handed a 12-year prison term to building owner Nghiem Quang Minh for violating fire prevention regulations, while seven local officials received sentences of up to seven years for failing to act on reported safety violations. Minh was also ordered to pay more than 23.7 billion dong in compensation to victims' families and survivors. The government has since launched a nationwide review of fire safety in small apartment buildings, which are common in Vietnam’s densely populated cities.
Despite the verdict, families of the victims expressed disappointment, arguing the punishments were too lenient. Many had previously raised concerns about the building’s illegal modifications, including additional floors and insufficient fire exits, which contributed to the tragedy.
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The court handed a 12-year prison term to building owner Nghiem Quang Minh for violating fire prevention regulations, while seven local officials received sentences of up to seven years for failing to act on reported safety violations. Minh was also ordered to pay more than 23.7 billion dong in compensation to victims' families and survivors. The government has since launched a nationwide review of fire safety in small apartment buildings, which are common in Vietnam’s densely populated cities.
Despite the verdict, families of the victims expressed disappointment, arguing the punishments were too lenient. Many had previously raised concerns about the building’s illegal modifications, including additional floors and insufficient fire exits, which contributed to the tragedy.
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