Girl killed as Circle K store collapses in HCMC

Police and rescuers arrive at a Circle K store in HCMC's District 4 after its first-floor storage collapsed on January 18, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Van

The accident happened at around 9 a.m. at the 40-sq.m Circle K store on Vinh Hoi Street of Ward 4 when there were nine employees and customers on the ground floor.

They were trapped under goods, bricks and steel frames.

The girl, a ninth grader, was extricated from under the debris at 9:45 a.m. She was unconscious and rushed to District 4 Hospital, but succumbed to injuries later, the hospital director said.

Le Van Chien, District 4 chairman, said that besides the teenage girl, others suffered scratches.

Major Hung Nguyen Thuan from the Fire Prevention and Rescue Unit of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department, who directed the rescue effort at the site, said the rescue work was difficult as big chunks of goods blocked entrances.

Thuan said the storage on the first floor was overloaded with goods for Tet demand.

Colonel Huynh Quang Tam, head of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Unit of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department, said that forces had to pump oxygen in, dismantle steel structures, and unload goods to take the victims out.

Rescuers look for people trapped amid goods and collapsing steel frames at a Circle K store in HCMC's District 4, January 18, 2023. Photo by VnExpress

The store uses its the first floor as a warehouse and also a space for dining, with portable tables and chairs.

Huong, a woman who lives nearby, said: "I was in my house when I heard a big bang. Many screamed for help but the front door of the store was blocked by goods and no one could get in."

Locals said the store was recently under repair and has just been reopened for several days.