Late on Thursday, a devastating fire swept through a seven-story building in an upscale neighborhood in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. According to health authorities, at least 43 people lost their lives, and many others were injured.
The incident occurred in a commercial complex, trapping individuals within its confines. Firefighters worked tirelessly to rescue survivors and retrieve bodies. Currently, 22 others are receiving treatment for burn injuries.
At least 43 people were killed and dozens injured on Thursday night after a devastating fire tore through a high-rise building in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. Around 75 people, 42 of them unconscious, were rescued and rushed to several hospitals. #Bangladesh #Dhaka pic.twitter.com/ZOCXRrPi51
— CGTN Global Watch (@GlobalWatchCGTN) March 1, 2024
Bangladesh’s Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen reported that 43 people lost their lives in the devastating fire. The incident occurred at a six-story shopping mall in Dhaka’s downtown area. Tragically, many individuals were trapped by the flames. At least 22 others are currently receiving treatment for burn injuries.
According to Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen, approximately 40 injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at the primary burn hospital in the city.
According to Fire Department Official Mohammad Shihab, the fire began at approximately 9:50 PM on Thursday (1550 GMT) in a well-known biriyani restaurant located on Bailey Road in Dhaka. The flames rapidly engulfed the upper floors of the building, leaving many individuals trapped inside.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control in two hours. They rescued 75 people alive, a statement from the fire service, he added.
The Bailey Road building predominantly accommodates six restaurants, including Kacchi Bhai. Additionally, there are outlets for Gadget and Gear and the electronics brand Samsung on the ground floor. The third floor houses a clothing store called Eileen.
“We were at the sixth floor when we first saw smoke racing through the staircase. A lot of people rushed upstairs. We used a water pipe to climb down the building. Some of us were injured as they jumped from upstairs,” said a restaurant manager called Sohel.
Several individuals found themselves stranded on the rooftop, desperately calling out for assistance.
Kamruzzaman Majumdar, a professor of environmental science, wrote in a Facebook post. “Alhamdulillah. We are sending down all women and children including my wife and children. We all men are in rooftop. Fire service stands beside us. Fifty yet to be down,”
Bangladesh has witnessed a distressing pattern of fires in both apartment buildings and factory complexes, largely attributed to inadequate enforcement of safety regulations.
In February 2019, a devastating inferno tore through multiple apartment blocks in Dhaka, claiming the lives of 70 people. The flames engulfed homes, leaving behind a trail of tragedy and loss.
And in July 2021, a fire swept through a food processing factory, claiming the lives of 52 people, including many children. Similarly, in February 2019, an inferno tore through several Dhaka apartment blocks, resulting in the loss of 70 lives.
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