A tree fell on top of a car near Linh Đàm Residential Area during the thunderstorm on Friday afternoon in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Mai

HÀ NỘI Super typhoon Yagi claimed its first casualty in the capital, as a 41-year-old woman was killed after a 15-metre tree fell on top of her in the area near Linh Đàm, Hà Nội.

The tree, with a diameter of 30 centimetre, was uprooted and collapsed upon two people who were travelling on a motorbike at Nguyễn Hữu Thọ Street. The woman, who was sitting at the back, died instantly, while the male driver is currently hospitalised in Bạch Mai Hospital for a severe head injury.

Local officials rushed to the scene to rescue the victims and clean up to prevent traffic disruptions.

Elsewhere in the old quarter, another tree was also uprooted and destroyed an ancient house in Hàng Cá Street, injuring three people.

The tree trunk collapsed on the outer wall of the house, and even fell atop an electric car carrying tourists. Passengers on the car were fortunately unharmed, as the toppled over the hood of the car. 

The scene of the fallen tree in Hàng Cá street. Photo vtcnews.vn

Black clouds covering the Long Biên area before the thunderstorm. VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

Traffic jam in Thăng Long Boulevard after the thunderstorm. Photo laodongthudo.vn

The thirty-minute thunderstorm, caused by a storm cloud from Typhoon Yagi, caused heavy rainfall and tremendously strong winds in the capital. The storm also frightened many citizens, with many tried to get home early causing massive traffic jams during the rush hour.

Main streets such as Hoàng Văn Thái, Nguyễn Chí Thanh, Láng were clogged with vehicles, with cars and motorbikes literally stuck for around two hours in places such as Mai Dịch Overpass in Cầu Giấy. Data from Google Maps suggested delays of up to 40 minutes on areas in Cầu Giấy, Thanh Xuân, and most of Ring Road No.3. VNS