At around 5:00 p.m. on July 19, a 6m high corrugated iron fence surrounding the Shark Ham building (Hoan Kiem ward, Hanoi) - which is being demolished in the Hoan Kiem Lake space renovation project - was blown away by the wind towards Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, Cau Go Street.
Talking to a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Duc Anh (31 years old, emergency driver of the 115 Emergency Center) said that at around 5:00 p.m., the 115 Emergency Center received a report from local residents that 2 foreign tourists were injured after the barrier fell in Ham Thang.
When the ambulance arrived at the scene, it was raining heavily with strong winds. At this time, the family of a Thai tourist (including a couple and 2 young children) was supported by local people to go to a store on Le Thai To street to wait for an ambulance to arrive.
"Among the 4 people, there was a mother with a young child injured in the hand and face due to a collision with a corrugated iron fence in the Shark's backpacking area," said Mr. Duc Anh.
The whole family was taken by ambulance from the 115 Emergency Center to the Viet - Phap Hospital (Kim Lien Ward, Hanoi) for a photo shoot.
Mr. Duc Anh added that according to the doctor's initial assessment, the two tourists only suffered soft tissue injuries, not too serious.
Previously, at around 4:30 p.m. in Hanoi, black clouds were covering the area, then the weather turned thunderstorms and strong winds.
Heavy rain poured down with thunderstorms, causing many motorbikes to be blown to the side and fall onto the road. Cars and motorbikes were forced to stop while traveling, garbage and billboards on the sidewalk were thrown all over the place.
Some pickleball sports fields in Hanoi were also hit by the wind, the roofs of the entire iron frame collapsed, unable to stand firm against the wind.
Heavy rain and strong winds also caused many trees to fall and be uprooted onto the road, obstructing traffic.
The local police, traffic police, fire prevention and fighting and rescue forces quickly arrived to support people, ensure traffic safety and handle incidents.
Due to complicated weather developments, Hanoi City Police recommends that people limit going out if not really necessary. In case you are forced to move, reduce speed, keep a safe distance, turn on the lights and observe carefully when participating in traffic.
Motorcyclists should wear neat raincoats to avoid obstructing their vision or letting the wind blow away. Absolutely do not take shelter from rain under trees, near electric poles, advertising signs or places at risk of landslides and collapses.
According to Mr. Mai Van Khiem - Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds in Hanoi and the northern provinces this afternoon (July 19) are not due to the circulation of storm No. 3 Wipha.
These are just common thunderstorms when the North is in the rainy season. The western edge of the storm's circulation may cause thunderstorms before the storm on our mainland from tomorrow evening and night, July 20.
"The reason for this afternoon's thunderstorms in the North is due to the convergence of winds along the low trough crossing the North in the Northwest - Southeast direction" - Mr. Khiem analyzed.
