The incident occurred near Viet Duc High School during rush hour, sending a large column of black smoke into the sky over the city centre.

According to preliminary information, the fire broke out between 9:30 a.m. and 9:50 a.m. near the intersection of Ly Thuong Kiet and Quang Trung streets. The bus was traveling from Quang Trung Street toward Ba Trieu Street when passengers noticed a burning smell and smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle.

After detecting the problem, the driver quickly stopped the bus and instructed all passengers to evacuate. Only minutes later, flames spread rapidly through the vehicle, engulfing much of the bus and causing several small explosions that alarmed nearby residents.

Witnesses said the thick black smoke rose dozens of meters into the air and could be seen from a considerable distance away. As the fire occurred on a busy central street near schools and office buildings, traffic congestion quickly developed around the area.

Firefighters and rescue forces later arrived at the scene to contain the blaze. By nearly 11 a.m., the fire had been largely extinguished, though the bus was almost completely destroyed.

Representatives of Hanoi Transport Corporation (Transerco) confirmed that all passengers and the driver escaped safely and that no injuries were reported. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire.

The incident occurred as Hanoi is experiencing an intense heatwave, with outdoor temperatures in some areas exceeding 39°C. Prolonged hot and dry weather is believed to increase the risk of electrical failures and vehicle fires, particularly for public transport operating continuously outdoors.

Passenger bus plunges into ravine, 1 killed and 11 injured

VOV.VN - A serious traffic accident on National Highway 19 in central Vietnam has left one person dead and 11 others injured after a sleeper bus plunged into a ravine on An Khe Pass, Gia Lai province, late on May 10.