BLAZE. Firefighters battle a fire raging on a building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Thursday (Feb. 29, 2024). At least 43 people died in the fire. (Xinhua)
DHAKA – At least 43 people were killed Thursday night after a devastating fire tore through a seven-story building in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka.
Minister of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh Samanta Lal Sen confirmed the deaths early Friday.
The minister said 33 bodies were brought to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital and 10 others to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.
Anwarul Islam, an inspector from the Fire Service and Civil Defense Headquarters in Dhaka, said that around 75 people, including 42 in an unconscious state, were rescued from the “Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall" and were rushed to several hospitals.
The fire started at 9:30 p.m. and was declared out at 11:30 p.m.
Investigators are still determining the cause of the fire at the seven-story building that housed a restaurant, several shops and residential units. (Xinhua)
