Nearly 1,350 households affected by factory blast in Phu Tho

Nearly 1,350 households, agencies and units have been affected by the devastating blast at a firework factory in the northern province of Phu Tho on October 12, according to initial outcomes of a survey.

Nearly 1,350 households, agencies and units have been affected by the devastating blast at a firework factory in the northern province of Phu Tho on October 12, according to initial outcomes of a survey.

A house damaged by the blast

The explosion at Factory Z121, located in Thanh Ba district, completely destroyed six houses and caused serious damage to 877 houses and offices, according to Vice Chairman of the Phu Tho provincial People’s Committee Ha Ke San.

San said more than 470 households reported minor damages, adding that the survey is still underway until October 19.

The official said the General Department of Defence Industry and Factory Z121 will compensate the households for the losses. Relevant agencies are making all-out efforts to deal with consequences of the blast and help local people soon stabilise their lives.

The explosion at the Z4 wing of Factory Z121- run by General Department of the Defence Industry under the Ministry of Defence - took the lives of 24 people and injured 97 others.

According to the local authority, a technical fault led to the initial explosion. Fire then spread to the production establishment where an estimated 17,000 boxes of fireworks were stored and caught fire.

The factory is the only facility producing fireworks for national holidays in Vietnam.