The moment when the tree fell down. Source: Youtube video

The accident happened at 6.15am when an old flamboyant tree measuring more than 10m in height suddenly fell on the students who were reportedly queuing in the schoolyard of Bạch Đằng Secondary School.

The scene of the accident where a tree fell on students at a school in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photos

All students were in grade six and eight.

Three ambulances were immediatedly sent to the scene and took the injured students to the hospital.

Security guards block the scene for investigation.

Dr Nguyễn Duy Long, director of the city’s Emergency Centre 115, confirmed the centre received a call from the school about the accident. 

The centre, in co-operation with the District 3 Hospital, Sài Gòn Hoàn Mỹ Hospital and Saigon ITO Phú Nhuận Hospital, sent ambulances to the school to take the students.

“When we arrived at the school, 13 students were suffering from injuries such as broken arms or legs or spine injuries. One of them was the most seriously injured as the student had stopped breathing and did not have a heartbeat,” he said.

“The student was taken to An Sinh Hospital for treatment, but the doctors couldn’t save him,” he said.

Eight students suffered multiple injuries and three others had slight injuries. All have been treated at the hospitals. — VNS