Nearly 3,000 Hanoi students switch to online learning after deadly school fire

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training said it had instructed the school to implement online classes immediately to ensure students' education is not disrupted while officials assess the damage and arrange replacement facilities.

Late on Thursday, the school informed students and parents that study materials for all subjects would be distributed on Friday.

School teachers have also prepared an online learning plan, with further instructions to be provided through homeroom teachers.

Education officials are working with the ward's administration to identify nearby schools that could temporarily accommodate the students and teachers in the coming days.

The school will announce a return date for in-person classes once a formal arrangement has been approved.

Authorities have also ordered the school to conduct an urgent review of textbooks, notebooks, and other learning materials that may have been damaged or lost during the incident.

The department plans to provide replacement materials for the affected students and help them resume their studies as quickly as possible.

At the same time, the Hanoi education department issued a broader directive requiring schools undergoing construction, renovation or temporary relocation to strengthen safety inspections and ensure that students are not taught at unsafe locations.

Construction zones within school grounds must be isolated with barriers and separate access routes, officials said.

Schools were also asked to review fire prevention and firefighting conditions and verify that emergency response measures are adequate.

Fire kills 1 at temporary school campus

The fire broke out on Thursday afternoon at a temporary campus being used by Kim Lien Middle School.

The municipal police department's command information center received the fire alert and immediately dispatched seven fire engines, one command vehicle, and more than 60 firefighters and rescue personnel to the scene.

The firemen focused on searching for victims, extinguishing the blaze, and preventing flames from spreading to nearby structures.

Students who were attending classes in adjacent buildings were evacuated to safety.

The fire was extinguished by about 1:00 pm.

During rescue operations, emergency crews discovered one deceased victim.

Authorities have not yet released details about the victim's identity, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Government orders investigation

Following the incident, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc signed an urgent directive on behalf of the prime minister.

The government expressed condolences to the victim's family and instructed Hanoi authorities to provide both emotional and financial support.

The prime minister urged Hanoi authorities and the Ministry of Public Security to investigate the cause of the fire, determine any responsibilities, and impose penalties if violations are found.

The Ministry of Education and Training was tasked with coordinating nationwide inspections to ensure schools comply with fire prevention and rescue regulations.

Authorities were also instructed to strengthen fire-safety education and practical emergency training for students.

The directive emphasized that local administrations and public safety agencies must address any complacency toward fire prevention regulations and strictly enforce safety standards to prevent similar tragedies.