Bangladesh: 43 killed in Dhaka building fire

DHAKA: A devastating fire tore through a seven-story building in an affluent area of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, late Thursday, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 43 lives and leaving numerous others injured, according to health authorities.

Bangladesh's health minister, Samanta Lal Sen, confirmed the death toll and reported that around 40 injured individuals were receiving medical attention at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital and an adjacent burn hospital.

The fire, which broke out around 9:50 p.m. local time in a popular biriyani restaurant on Bailey Road, swiftly spread to the upper floors, trapping many occupants inside, stated Mohammad Shihab, a fire department official.

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within two hours.

Rescue efforts led to the successful evacuation of 75 individuals from the building.

Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing experiences, with some resorting to using a water pipe to escape the inferno and others seeking refuge on the rooftop, desperately calling for assistance.