The drill was attended by Major General Nguyen Minh Tuan, member of the provincial Party Committee’s Standing Board and Director of the provincial Department of Public Security; Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and head of the drill’s Steering Committee; among other officials. 

The drill consisted of two parts: command and control operations, and a practical exercise.

Following the simulation of force and equipment mobilisation, command and coordination of firefighting and search and rescue operations based on a hypothetical fire and explosion scenario, the practical exercise was conducted in accordance with established firefighting and search and rescue procedures.

The hypothetical scenario involved a gas cylinder explosion at a food business in the PG2 block, triggering a major fire that spread to adjacent houses and the PG1, PG2, HG1 and HG2 blocks. The explosion caused parts of several buildings to collapse, leaving many people injured and trapped, including around 150 people stranded on upper floors.

While forces were carrying out firefighting and search and rescue operations, an electric car caught fire in the basement of Vincom Plaza Son La. The flames spread to the upper floors, while smoke and toxic gases engulfed the building, threatening residents' lives.

Taking advantage of the ensuing chaos, several individuals committed theft, creating an additional challenge for authorities in maintaining security and public order at the scene.

In response to the complex developments of the simulated incident, the Steering Committee and Exercise Command mobilised more than 600 personnel from over 40 agencies and units, along with 200 vehicles and various types of specialised equipment, to coordinate firefighting efforts, rescue people and property, prevent the fire from spreading, provide emergency medical assistance to victims and handle lawbreakers.

Nearly an hour after the fire was detected, it was brought under control and completely extinguished. The drill was completed as planned and in accordance with the programme, achieving its objectives while ensuring the absolute safety of all personnel and equipment.

Speaking at the event, Cong stressed that the exercise helps raise awareness and strengthen the sense of responsibility among agencies, units, businesses and the public in complying with fire prevention and firefighting, and rescue regulations, while promoting the effective implementation of the “four-on-the-spot” motto.

It also helps improve coordination mechanisms between firefighters, and rescue forces and relevant agencies, while strengthening command and management capacity and the ability to respond to major and complex fires, explosions, accidents and incidents in the province./.