DHAKA – In a devastating incident, a fierce fire erupted late Thursday night at a prominent six-story shopping mall in Dhaka’s downtown area, claiming the lives of at least 43 people and leaving dozens injured, as confirmed by Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen on Friday.
The fire, which reportedly started in a popular restaurant on the mall’s first floor, quickly spread throughout the building, trapping numerous individuals. Firefighters worked tirelessly to rescue survivors and recover bodies, with at least 22 people receiving medical attention by early Friday.
The victims, including women and children, were pronounced dead at various hospitals in the city. Dhaka Medical College Hospital reported 33 fatalities, while an additional 10 succumbed to their injuries at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
The Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall, located in a bustling commercial district at the heart of the capital, became the epicenter of a massive firefighting operation. Over a dozen firefighting units, led by Fire Service and Civil Defense Director General Brig. Gen. Md. Main Uddin, were deployed to combat the flames.
Rescue efforts proved successful, with 75 people, including 42 unconscious individuals, being safely evacuated from the engulfed building. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are underway to determine its origin.
As the nation mourns this tragic incident, authorities are extending support to the affected families and conducting a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the fire. The Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall, once a vibrant hub, now stands as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of this unforeseen disaster.