When an earthquake occurs, should you run from the top floor to the ground?

According to the recommendations of the authorities, there are 5 cases to pay attention to when an earthquake occurs and there are some basic skills below to help minimize damage and injury to people.

At around 1:30 p.m. on March 28, residents of building 68 Phan Dang Luu (Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City) felt shaking and ran outside - Photo: CHAU TUAN

According to the Institute of Geophysics, at 1:20 p.m. today, March 28 (Vietnam time), a strong earthquake occurred in Myanmar, causing tremors in Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong...

In Ho Chi Minh City, on the same afternoon, many residents in high-rise buildings in District 1, Phu Nhuan, District 11... said they felt their houses shaking and had to run outside.

In Thu Dau Mot city, Binh Duong province, many people inside high-rise buildings also felt slight shaking so they moved out of the building.

In Hanoi, many buildings in Bac Tu Liem, Hoang Mai, Ha Dong... also recorded strong shaking.

Some residents said "on the upper floors, suddenly the furniture in the house shook violently for 5 minutes, it was really scary".

Many readers shared their feelings about the earthquake and raised some questions.

"If there is an earthquake, running down to the lobby to sit is no different than sitting on the upper floor, right? It can collapse the whole building, not just the upper floors" - reader Nguyen Duc Phu wrote.

Reader Cuu Ngu asked: "Will there be more aftershocks in the coming days? What should be done to prevent damage?"

According to recommendations from the Fire Prevention and Fighting University ( Ministry of Public Security ), there are 5 cases to note when an earthquake occurs and some of the following basic skills will help minimize damage and injury to people:

- First, when indoors, people are advised to find safe places such as under sturdy tables and inside sturdy door frames.

If there is nothing to protect yourself, lie on the floor next to an indoor wall, protecting your head and neck, and wait until the ground stops shaking.

Always cover your face and head with your hands, avoid dangerous places such as: glass windows, under light bulbs, ceiling fans or tall objects such as bookcases, mirrors, wardrobes.

Also stay in place, do not run between rooms, wait until the ground stops shaking. Never use the elevator because the elevator may lose power, causing you to get stuck.

- When outdoors, stay away from buildings and power lines.

People are advised to find a safe place to stand, not to run into houses, and to stay away from tall buildings and power lines.

- When in a moving car , stop the car immediately in a permitted location and stay in the car.

It is recommended to avoid parking under or near buildings, trees, bridges over roads, or power lines. After the shaking stops, drive carefully and avoid roads, bridges, or slopes that may have been damaged by the earthquake.

- When trapped in rubble, try to stay calm; do not move or stir up dust.

At this time, the trapped person can use a handkerchief or clothing to cover their mouth, then call for help and use measures to attract attention so that the rescue team can notice.

"Do not attempt to move if you do not feel safe, as it is easy to cause the heavy object to press down harder, endangering yourself.

At the same time, do not try too hard to scream, because doing so will not only cause inhalation of dangerous smoke and dust but also cause the victim to quickly become exhausted," the recommendation from the Fire Prevention and Fighting University stated.

- In case you are near the sea, people are advised to run to high, safe ground. At the same time, stay away from the coast to prevent possible tsunamis.

When you need help, call 114 immediately.

Read more Back to Topics

Back to topic

HONG QUANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khi-xay-ra-dong-dat-co-nen-bo-chay-tu-lau-cao-xuong-mat-dat-20250328193409353.htm