A devastating fire tore through a multi-storey building in Dhaka, the bustling capital city of Bangladesh, claiming the lives of at least 43 people and leaving 22 others injured. 43 people including 26 women, three children killed and 22 critically injured in fire broke out at seven-storey Shopping Mall on Bailey Road in Dhaka last night. The incident unfolded in the heart of the city’s Baily Road area, sending shockwaves through the community and sparking a frantic rescue effort by emergency responders.
The blaze, which erupted around 9:45 pm on Thursday, quickly engulfed the seven-storey structure, trapping scores of people inside. Thirteen units of the Fire Service raced to the scene, battling the inferno for over two hours before finally bringing it under control by 11:50 pm.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly to evacuate survivors from the burning building, transporting them to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment. The Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery received the wounded, where Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen grimly confirmed the death toll, which stands at 43, with fears that the number could climb higher as some victims remain in critical condition.
Of the injured, 14 are currently undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while eight others are receiving care at the burn and plastic surgery institute, all in critical condition.
As authorities grappled with the aftermath of the tragedy, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun revealed that the total death count had reached 44, including one casualty reported at the Central Police Hospital in Rajarbagh.
The building, which housed several popular eateries such as Kacchi Bhai, as well as a clothing shop, was a frequented spot for locals, especially in the evenings. Eyewitnesses recounted how the fire originated on the ground floor before swiftly spreading to the upper levels, fueled by the explosion of gas cylinders within the restaurants.
Brigadier General Md Main Uddin, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defense, highlighted the rapid spread of the fire, attributing it to the numerous gas cylinders present in the building. Tragically, many occupants were unable to escape the engulfing flames due to the explosions.
Authorities, including Kamrul Hasan, Additional Superintendent of Police of RAB-3, pointed to a cylinder explosion in a coffee shop on the ground floor as the likely cause of the catastrophic blaze.
As the nation mourns the loss of life and grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident, questions loom over safety protocols and building regulations, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
