Explosion Rocks Hanoi Neighborhood Killing 4, Injuring 10

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March 21, 2016

On Saturday afternoon, an explosion rocked Hanoi's Ha Dong District, killing four and injuring 10.

At 3:10pm, residents as far away as four kilometers heard the blast, reports Tuoi Tre, which came from a scrap metal trading shop in a residential neighborhood.

Though police have yet to confirm the exact source of the blast, it is believed the explosion occurred after the shop's owner attempted to open a war-era bomb with a blow torch.

In addition to casualties, 120 houses in the area were also damaged. Bui Van Luong, who was 100 meters from the explosion, told Tuoi Tre: “People rushed out on the street and falling motorbikes and fire were all over the place. A truck crashed into a tiles shop, and the driver and a woman in the cabin were seriously injured.”

Military services were also on hand to check the area for any remaining threats.

Along with both a bridge collapse and a market inferno in Bien Hoa, it was a rough weekend for Vietnam.