A devastating fire broke out in a six-story shopping mall in downtown Dhaka, Bangladesh, claiming the lives of at least 46 individuals. The fire, which started in a restaurant on the first floor of the Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall, resulted in a tragic loss of lives due to the absence of fire exits in the building.
Rescue efforts were immediately initiated, with more than a dozen firefighting units deployed to the scene. Firefighters worked tirelessly to rescue survivors and retrieve bodies from the blaze. By early Friday, the death toll had risen to 46, with several critically injured individuals receiving treatment in local hospitals.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her shock and dismay at the incident, attributing the tragedy to negligence on the part of architects and building owners. She emphasized the importance of incorporating safety features such as fire exits and ventilation in building designs to prevent such disasters.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences of escaping to the building's roof to evade the flames. Families of the victims gathered at hospitals, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.
The fire department and forensic experts are investigating the cause of the fire, while highlighting previous notices served to the building owner regarding fire safety compliance.
Bangladesh has a history of fire incidents in commercial buildings, often linked to lax monitoring and violations of building codes. The tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety measures in public spaces to prevent such catastrophes in the future.
