In Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, a tragic incident unfolded as a fire tore through a seven-story building in a posh neighborhood, leaving devastation in its wake.
At least 43 individuals lost their lives, with many more sustaining injuries.
“According to Bangladesh’s health minister, Samanta Lal Sen, 43 people have perished in the fire,” shared late Thursday after a visit to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and a burns hospital nearby.
Sen also mentioned that 22 individuals are in critical condition due to severe burns.
The fire erupted around 9:50 pm local time, originating from a well-known biriyani restaurant on Bailey Road.
Mohammad Shihab, a fire department official, reported that the blaze swiftly engulfed the upper floors, trapping numerous individuals inside.
Although the exact cause remains unclear, firefighters managed to contain the flames within two hours, rescuing 75 people in the process.
Survivor accounts paint a harrowing picture of the ordeal. Mohammad Altaf narrowly escaped through a broken window, recounting the loss of two coworkers in the process.
“Our cashier and servicemen tried to evacuate everyone, but tragically, they didn’t make it. I had to break a window in the kitchen and jump to safety,” Altaf recounted.
Families of the victims congregated at the hospital, grieving for their loved ones.
Most casualties resulted from suffocation or individuals leaping from the building to escape the flames.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as people sought refuge from the blaze.
Sohel, a restaurant manager, recalled using a water pipe to descend the building, while others were stranded on the rooftop, desperately pleading for rescue.
“Thankfully, we managed to get all women and children down from the rooftop,” shared Kamruzzaman Majumdar, a relieved survivor.
Brigadier General Main Uddin of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence suggested the fire may have originated from a gas leak or faulty stove.
He highlighted the dangerous conditions within the building, with gas cylinders present on every floor, even on the staircases.
Following the tragedy, a committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
This incident once again underscores the lax enforcement of safety regulations in Bangladesh, where fires in buildings are tragically common occurrences.