Fire claims at least 44 lives in Bangladesh
Devastating fire in a seven-story building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, results in at least 44 deaths and dozens more injuries
A devastating fire tore through a seven-story building nestled in an upscale neighborhood of Bangladesh’s capital on Thursday, leaving in its wake a harrowing toll of at least 44 lives lost and dozens more injured, as authorities reported.
Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen, following a somber visit to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital and an adjoining burn hospital, confirmed the grim news to the media, stating, “So far 43 people have died from the fire.” Adding to the grim tally, Police Inspector Bacchu Mia disclosed that one more victim succumbed to their injuries at Dhaka’s main police hospital, pushing the death toll to 44.
Sen further revealed that approximately 40 individuals with injuries were under treatment at the city’s main burn hospital, emphasizing, “None of them are out of danger.”
The blaze, which erupted around 9:50 p.m. local time, originated in a popular biriyani restaurant on Dhaka’s Bailey Road before swiftly engulfing the upper floors of the building, trapping scores of people within its fiery grip. Despite the rapid spread of the inferno, firefighters battled the flames, ultimately bringing the situation under control within a span of two hours. Miraculously, amidst the chaos, 75 individuals were rescued, according to a statement from the fire service.
Authorities suspect a gas cylinder blast at the restaurant may have sparked the deadly fire, with one fire officer claiming, “It raced through the upper floor quickly as there were restaurants in almost all floors of the building. They use gas cylinders.”
In response to the tragedy, the government has launched an investigation into the incident. The Bailey Road building, primarily housing restaurants alongside several clothing and mobile phone shops, served witness to scenes of panic and heroism as survivors recounted their ordeal.
Sohel, a restaurant manager, vividly described the incident, “We were at the sixth floor when we first saw smoke racing through the staircase. A lot of people rushed upstairs.” In a daring escape bid, he recounted using a water pipe to descend the building, while others resorted to leaping from upper floors, sustaining injuries in the process.
Meanwhile, trapped on the rooftop, Kamruzzaman Majumdar, a professor of environmental science, turned to social media for help, writing, “Alhamdulillah (praise be to god). We are sending down all women and children including my wife and children. We all men are on the rooftop. Fire service stands beside us. Fifty yet to be down.” His subsequent rescue brought a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.
Source: AFP
