Hanoi metro conducts emergency drills prior to becoming operational

Hanoi Railway Transport JSC cooperated with Railway Management Board and relevant authorities to perform firefighting and rescue drills on the new Cat Linh - Ha Dong Railway track.

In the first scenario, a controlled explosion triggered a fire via a portable charger placed inside one passenger's luggage on a train bound from Van Quan to Ha Dong stations.

Passengers subsequently informed the train crew of the incident, before activating the emergency escape door to exit. The train stopped about 50 m from Van Quan Station to safely allow passengers onto the track.

A 'wounded' commuter is assisted by a fellow passenger.

Firefighting and rescue drills are an important step in evaluating the railway's safety coordination before it enters commercial operation, according to Hanoi Railway Transport.

Passengers are guided by station staff while escaping the fire at Van Quan.

Firefighters approach the scene as authorities block roads below.

The crew hooks up to the firetruck down below.

In the second scenario, a fire broke out at Cat Linh Station, put out by hand-held extinguishers after the alarm was sounded.

With the fire 'growing out of control', an emergency evacuation order was issued and firefighters dispatched to the scene.

Passengers supposed to disembark at Cat Linh Station reboard their train following the emergency.

Commuters sit tight as authorities ordered the train and stations to suspend operations between Lang Station to Cat Linh.

An ‘injured’ passenger is taken to hospital.

Following the drills on Thursday, Cat Linh - Ha Dong Railway is expected to undergo a 20-day test run from December 12 to December 31, before it enters commercial operation next year.

Cat Linh - Ha Dong Railway completed basic construction in September 2018 and has undergone several prior test runs.