Massive fire in Dhaka building claims 43 lives, dozens critical

• Fire in Dhaka building claims 43 lives and leaves 22 critically injured
• Incident sparked in a restaurant on the first floor before spreading to upper levels
• Identification of victims poses challenge due to severe burns, raising concerns of escalating casualties

At least 43 individuals have perished and 22 others sustained critical injuries in a devastating fire that erupted in a seven-storey building in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. Health Minister Dr. Samant Lal Sen confirmed the casualties, expressing concern over the severe condition of the injured. The fire originated in a restaurant on the first floor before rapidly engulfing upper levels, which housed eateries and clothing shops, prompting a large-scale evacuation effort.

According to fire service officials, 75 individuals were rescued from the building, with 42 found unconscious. The tragic incident resulted in 33 fatalities at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and 10 at the nearby Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Health Minister Sen disclosed that the identification of victims has become a formidable task due to the severity of burns, exacerbating fears of a rising death toll. Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos as individuals sought refuge on higher floors, with firefighters risking their lives to rescue trapped individuals through stairwells.