In Dhaka, Bangladesh, a six-story shopping mall that caught fire had no fire exits, according to the country’s prime minister. The death toll had risen to at least 46, and rescuers were still searching for more victims. The fire started late Thursday in a restaurant on the first floor of the Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall in downtown Dhaka. More than a dozen firefighting units were deployed to the scene. By early Friday, at least 43 people were confirmed dead, with three injured people later succumbing to their injuries.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed shock at the loss of lives, attributing it to negligence. She emphasized the importance of incorporating fire safety measures like open balconies, fire exits, and ventilation in building designs. One survivor recounted how people escaped to the building’s roof to avoid the fire. Forty-one victims have been identified and 38 bodies have been returned to their families. The tragic scene at hospitals where families frantically searched for their loved ones added to the despair.
Among the dead were five members of one family, as well as students, teachers, and two reporters. The fire occurred on the onset of the weekend, catching many people dining in the shopping mall. The fire department and forensic experts began investigating the cause of the fire, while noting that the building owner had repeatedly been served notices to address fire extinguishing system shortcomings. Bangladesh has a history of deadly fires in commercial buildings due to lax monitoring and violations of building codes by construction companies and owners.