At least 33 people died of fire at a karaoke lounge in Vietnam’s southern province of Binh Duong, which is adjacent to Ho Chi Minh City, local police have confirmed.

Of the victims, 16 are women who are staff of the facility named An Phu in Thuan An City, Binh Duong, Colonel Trinh Ngoc Quyen, Director of Binh Duong Public Security, said at a press conference today [September 8].

The tragic accident prompted a request by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for extensive investigations by local police and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

A short circuit is believed to be the initial cause of the fire that flared up at around 20pm on September 6 and quickly spread to the three-story building, Quyen said, saying that extensive investigations are on the way to verify the cause and soon prosecute the case in accordance with the Penal Code.

In response to the media’s questions on the tragic losses of the fire, he attributed the damage to people’s low vigilance of firefighting and safety and flammable materials. “Many people continued singing after being alerted of the fire,” Quyen said, adding that many of them were dizzy because of alcohol.

In addition, “Almost all karaoke rooms were locked inside when firefighting police approached the facility,” he noted.

According to Quyen, An Phu Karaoke met the requirements of firefighting. He said the fire was controlled shortly after it flared up but rescue became tough because of locked rooms and well-built facility.

He said Binh Duong’s police have requested the Ministry of Public Security’s Institute of Forensic Sciences and Investigation Police to support the investigations.

An Phu Karaoke box began operations in 2016 with 30 karaoke rooms.

In Vietnam, karaoke, a public room where people entertain themselves by singing, using a machine that plays only the music of songs, is quite popular. This type of interactive entertainment is for both men and women, but sometimes male customers prefer services served by the box’s staff. 

The fire flared up at An Phu Karaoke in Binh Duong at 20pm on September 6. Photos: Ministry of Public Security, Zing

Firefighters use a specialized crane for the rescue.

Different rescue measures are used.

Firefighters are exhausted after the rescue.

Relatives of the victims wait for news from health workers.