Four people were killed and three others were injured when two containers of fireworks exploded at 11:40am, October 6 near the My Dinh National Stadium.
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Four people were killed and three others were injured when two containers of fireworks exploded at 11:40am, October 6 near the My Dinh National Stadium.

This is one of 29 sites in the capital city where firework showcases are planned for Hanoi’s 1,000th year anniversary on October 10. The firework shipment was on the way to the stadium to serve the firework displays at the My Dinh Stadium on October 10.

Six hours after the explosion, Vietnam News Agency cited Lt Gen. Nguyen Duc Nhanh, deputy head of the Security General Department II and director of the Hanoi Police Department, as saying that the reason for the blast was due to carelessness during the transportation of two containers of fireworks which were imported by Hanoi-based International Investment Trade and Service Company (Interserco).

Nhanh said that it was an unfortunate accident but would not affect work to ensure security for the capital city’s celebrations. Hanoi Police Agency Right sent eight fire trucks to the site to extinguish fires, protect and examine the scene as well as take injured people to hospital.

According to some local newspapers, a high column of smoke covering a vast area rose after the blast. The blast even shook nearby houses.

At the Hanoi Elite Athlete Training Centre, which is located very near the site, glass windows of many rooms were broken. Some athletes there said that the blast was so strong that it caused ceiling fans in some rooms to fall to the floor.

Fifteen minutes after the explosion the site was blockaded. Many fire trucks arrived to extinguish fires, and ambulances brought victims to the Sports Hospital approximately 500m from the site.

A representative of the fireworks importing company, Interserco, told VNExpress online newspaper that the firm is urgently importing fireworks to compensate for the volume lost in the two containers which exploded.

Interserco imported three containers of fireworks from Italy, the US and China, including some types of fireworks that have never been used in Vietnam.

The fireworks show on October 10th will be the largest show in Vietnam so far, which will use the latest fireworks technology from Germany and Singapore.

The show is organized by Interserco and the Singapore-based Glorious group

.

PV