HCM CITY — Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hoà Bình on Sunday ordered authorities of HCM City to take good care of victims of a fire that killed 13 people last week.

Visiting the Carina Plaza apartment complex in District 8 where the fire occurred with a working group yesterday, the Deputy PM said the fire was a fatal accident that “hurts the whole nation”.    

“It left us with a major lesson about safety management of apartment complexes,” he said.

He ordered the city’s authorities to help the victims stabilise their lives and provide medical care for the injured, as well as identifying the cause of fire, and recongising those who risked their lives to save the victims.  

He expressed concerns over the city’s fire prevention measures as another fire broke out at an eight-storey hotel in District 5 a day later, on Saturday.

He also visited 70 residents that are taking temporary shelter at the City Gate apartment complex, opposite Carina Plaza, and ordered the complex’s management board to ensure their needs are met.

“Management authorities must soon review all housing conditions and fire safety measures at [the Carina Plaza complex] before allowing residents to move back in,” he said.

Later during the day, the Deputy PM visited 11 injured victims that are receiving treatment at Chợ Rẫy Hospital, including the firefighter Trần Tuấn Thanh who was severely burned in the hands and legs while doing his duty.

On behalf of the Government, he presented each victim VNĐ3 million (US$132) of financial support.

The Deputy PM also visited and offered condolences to families of the victims killed by the fire.

The fire broke out on early last Friday morning at the Carina Plaza in District 8 in HCM City, killing 13 and injuring dozens of others. Its cause is under investigation. — VNS