Around noon on October 7, 2025, images circulated widely on social media purportedly showing a resident at an apartment complex in the Diplomatic Compound area (Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi) using the elevator to transport a motorcycle from the basement to the ground floor, after the basement exit was blocked to prevent rainwater ingress.
Residents of an apartment complex in the Diplomatic Compound using the elevator to move motorcycles out of the basement
Following an overnight and morning downpour influenced by the remnants of Typhoon Matmo combined with upper-level wind convergence, many areas of Hanoi—including the Diplomatic Compound—experienced localized flooding. Several internal roads turned into makeshift rivers, with water rising to knee level, severely disrupting residents' mobility and daily routines.
According to a survey on Batdongsan.com, apartments in the Diplomatic Compound urban area are currently listed at around 120 million VND per square meter, with average prices of 7-8 billion VND per unit, and prime corner units with scenic views reaching over 15 billion VND.
On the morning of October 7, 2025, numerous locations within the Diplomatic Compound urban area suffered severe flooding after a prolonged heavy rain starting from the previous night, caused by Typhoon No. 11. In recent heavy rain events, the Diplomatic Compound has frequently been prone to inundation.
To prevent water from entering the parking basement, building management installed barriers and carefully placed sandbags at the entrance. As the water began to recede, one resident requested assistance from security personnel to load the motorcycle into the freight elevator, transport it to the ground floor, and then wheel it out via the accessible ramp designated for people with disabilities.
This action poses serious fire and explosion risks to the building. Motorcycles contain highly flammable fuels such as gasoline and oil, while elevators in residential complexes are designed solely for transporting people and ordinary goods—not vehicles or materials containing combustible or explosive substances.
Transporting motorcycles in elevators can damage equipment, heighten fire hazards, and threaten the safety of the entire building. Fires in elevators are particularly dangerous due to the confined space, which allows smoke and toxic gases to accumulate rapidly, making escape difficult and potentially endangering lives.
Building management units should intensify guidance for residents on safe elevator usage rules, especially during the rainy and stormy season, while developing contingency plans for safely relocating vehicles during flooding or similar incidents to mitigate risks to both people and equipment.
***
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, this afternoon, northern Vietnam will continue to experience moderate to heavy rain, with rainfall in Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, and Hanoi ranging from 30-60mm, and isolated areas exceeding 100mm. Other regions can expect 20-30mm of rain.
Rain is forecast to ease by the evening of October 7, but from early tomorrow morning, the northeastern region may see rain and moderate showers return.
