A devastating fire swept through a six-story shopping mall in Dhaka, Bangladesh's bustling capital, claiming the lives of at least 43 individuals and inflicting injuries on numerous others. The tragedy unfolded late Thursday evening, leading to a frantic overnight rescue operation spearheaded by the nation's firefighters.
Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen confirmed the grim toll early Friday, reporting that at least 22 individuals were receiving medical treatment following the catastrophe. The fire reportedly ignited in a popular restaurant located on the first floor of the Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall, situated in a densely populated commercial district at the heart of Dhaka.
The inferno's origins remain a mystery, with authorities yet to ascertain the cause. Sen disclosed that the Dhaka Medical College Hospital accounted for 33 of the deceased, including women and children, while an additional 10 lives were lost at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
#Bangladesh: 43 people including 26 women, three children killed and 22 critically injured in fire broke out at seven-storey Shopping Mall on #BaileyRoad in Dhaka last night. pic.twitter.com/ND4waUfI1R — All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) March 1, 2024
Brig. Gen. Md. Main Uddin, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defense, reported that over a dozen firefighting units were mobilized to extinguish the flames that had engulfed the mall. Rescuers managed to save at least 75 people from the blaze, 42 of whom were found unconscious. The fire's outbreak around 10 p.m. local time (16:00 GMT) on Thursday led to a large-scale evacuation, with 75 individuals rescued and dozens hospitalized, according to local media reports. Fire officials declared the fire under control within two hours, yet the investigation into its cause is ongoing. Brigadier General Main Uddin speculated to the AFP news agency that the fire might have originated from a gas leak or stove. He highlighted the perilous nature of the building, noting, "It was a dangerous building with gas cylinders on every floor, even on the staircases."
At least 44 people, including 26 women and three children, were killed and 22 critically injured in a fire that broke out at the seven-storey Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall on Bailey Road in #Dhaka last night.#Bangladesh #Fire #accident pic.twitter.com/vz6ze87Jzr — ARMAN HOSSAIN (@smarman071) March 1, 2024
Survivors recounted harrowing tales of escape amidst the chaos. Sohel, a restaurant manager, described to AFP how smoke rapidly filled the staircase, prompting patrons to flee upwards and use a water pipe to descend the building's exterior. Some resorted to jumping from upper floors to escape the encroaching flames.
Mohammad Altaf, another survivor, shared with Reuters his narrow escape through a broken window, lamenting the loss of two colleagues who perished after aiding in the evacuation.
The incident underscores the persistent threat of fires in Bangladesh's commercial and residential structures, often attributed to lax safety standards and insufficient regulatory enforcement. This tragic event adds to a series of fire-related disasters in the country, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures and awareness.
