In a tragic overnight incident, a fire ravaged a six-story shopping center in Dhaka, Bangladesh, resulting in the death of at least 43 individuals and injuring numerous others.
Some victims managed to seek refuge on the building’s rooftop amidst the chaos, as confirmed by officials on Friday.
The inferno ignited late Thursday within a ground-floor eatery of the Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall situated in the heart of Dhaka.
Brig. Gen. Md. Main Uddin, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defense, reported the deployment of over a dozen firefighting units to extinguish the devastating flames.
In the aftermath, firefighters undertook heroic efforts to rescue survivors and recover casualties.
By the break of dawn on Friday, the death toll had escalated to 43, with Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen warning of a potential increase given the critical condition of at least 18 individuals receiving care in state hospitals.
Survivor Mohammed Siam recounted the harrowing escape to the building’s rooftop, where approximately 30 people sought temporary safety until the blaze was brought under control and firefighters facilitated their rescue.
Bacchu Mia, head of a police outpost at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, reported the identification of 38 victims, with 26 bodies being returned to their grieving families.
The hospital witnessed poignant scenes as numerous families endured agonizing waits for news of their loved ones lost to the tragedy.
In the light of day, a fire department team delved into the scorched remains of the building to ascertain if more victims lay within, while forensic experts commenced their investigation to uncover the origins of the fire, which remains undetermined.
