A massive blaze in a six-story shopping mall in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 29th February has resulted in significant casualties and injuries.
The fire killed at least 46 people and left dozens injured, with many in critical condition. The deaths were primarily caused by carbon monoxide poisoning and suffocation from the smoke.
Witnesses reported that some people trapped inside the mall resorted to jumping from higher floors to escape.
Firefighters battled the blaze for around two hours to extinguish it. The lack of emergency exits and proper safety measures within the mall complicated evacuation efforts.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed shock and sorrow over the incident, ordering swift treatment for the injured.
Bangladesh has a history of deadly fires and industrial disasters, particularly in the garment sector. These incidents have raised concerns about poor working conditions and inadequate safety measures in workplaces across various industries.
In the past, there was a collapse of an eight-story garment factory in 2013, which claimed over 1,100 lives.
In 2021, a factory fire in Narayanganj killed more than 50 people.
The government set up a five-member panel to investigate the cause of the fire, which is believed to have started in a biryani restaurant on the first floor of the mall.
Initial reports suggest the fire may have been exacerbated by gas cylinders present on multiple floors of the building.
