State media: Vietnam karaoke bar fire kills at least 12

This picture taken on Sept 6, 2022 and released on Sept 7 by the Vietnam News Agency shows firefighters at the scene of a deadly fire that engulfed a karaoke bar in Binh Duong province, north of Ho Chi Minh City. (STR / VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY / AFP)

HANOI – At least 12 people died and 40 others were injured in a fire at a karaoke bar in southern Vietnam, state media reported on Wednesday .

The fire broke out on Tuesday night at the bar in Binh Duong province, an industrial production hub near Ho Chi Minh City, according to the official Vietnam News Agency.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday ordered the Ministry of Public Security and provincial authorities to investigate the cause of the fire

Among the injured, 11 were in serious condition, the report said.

ALSO READ: Vietnam tells hospitals to prep as dengue fever cases surge

"When the fire broke out, I was so panicked and ran for safety and can't remember how it happened," a witness, who identified herself only as Quynh, was quoted as saying in the report.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday ordered the Ministry of Public Security and provincial authorities to investigate the cause of the fire.

This AFP graphic dated Sept 7, 2022 shows the map of Vietnam locating the city of Thuan An where a deadly blaze broke out at a karaoke on Sept 6.

Chinh also ordered cities and provinces across the Southeast Asian country to step safety standards at facilities prone to fire, including at karaoke bars.

READ MORE: Samsung workers in Vietnam endure falling electronics demand

Karaoke is popular in Vietnam, but lax safety standards at venues have raised concerns. Three firefighters were killed in a fire at another karaoke bar in Hanoi last month.