A devastating fire engulfed a six-storey building housing restaurants in Bangladesh’s capital, claiming the lives of at least 46 people and leaving dozens injured, as confirmed by Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen.
The blaze, which broke out in a biryani restaurant, is believed to have been triggered by a gas leak or a stove, rapidly spreading through the structure and requiring extensive efforts by 13 firefighting units to bring it under control.
Health Minister Sen reported that 22 individuals with burn injuries are currently receiving critical treatment at hospitals.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed shock and ordered prompt medical attention for the injured. Survivor Mohammad Altaf described his harrowing escape from the fire, recounting how he broke a window in the kitchen to jump to safety while tragically losing two colleagues in the blaze.
Firefighters employed cranes to rescue individuals trapped inside the building, with ongoing efforts to clear debris and extinguish lingering embers.
The incident has left families devastated, with loved ones mourning outside hospitals and grappling with the loss of relatives who perished in the fire. A government-appointed panel has been tasked with investigating the incident, as the opposition party attributes such tragedies to a lack of accountability and rule of law in the country.