Bangladesh high-rise fire: Minister describes death of 25 victims as 'murders'
Dhaka, Mar 29 (IBNS): Bangladesh Public Works and Housing Minister SM Rezaul Karim on Friday called the death of 25 people in the Banani building fire incident as 'murder'.
He said the death of the victims of the fire tragedy were due to the negligence of building owner, developer and others who were involved with the construction of the building.
He said a criminal case will be filed against them if found guilty in the probe in the fire tragedy that left the nation shocked on Thursday.
“We clearly want to say that those who died in the fire incident were not the victims of any accident. Rather, they were murdered,” the minister was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.
“Housing and Public works ministry, City corporation and other ministries are investing the fire incident, he was quoted as saying by the newspaper adding, “We will make the report public. No reports will be concealed.”
The death toll in the massive fire, which broke out at a high-rise building in Bangladesh capital Dhaka's upscale Banani area on Thursday, has touched 25, media reports said on Friday.
The rescue operation has reportedly ended.
Over 70 people were injured in the fire incident that occurred in the 22-storey FR Tower just months after another blaze tragedy in the capital left 71 people dead in February.
Fire erupted on the sixth floor of the building at around 1 pm and spread rapidly as fire fighters fought for nearly six hours to douse the flames at around 7 pm.
The exact cause of the fire is still not known.
Several people were seen falling to their death as they tried to jump down from the building to escape the blaze.
Some people were caught on camera breaking window panes to make a route to escape from the building while others were seen waving their hands desperately to get some help.
A total of 22 firefighting units, backed by the army, the navy and the air force personnel worked hard to bring the flames under control.
Even helicopters were used to sprinkle water on the building.
The deceased included one Sri Lankan national.
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