(21 Feb 2019) Firefighters continued search and rescue efforts Thursday morning after a devastating blaze in an old part of Bangladesh's capital killed at least 70 people.
The fire in Dhaka was mostly under control after more than nine hours of frantic efforts by firefighters. Around 50 people injured, some critically burned.
Families of victims rushed to the Chawkbazar area as bodies were removed from the scene.
Major AKM Shakil Newaz of the Fire Service and Civil Defence in Dhaka said workers are in the final stages of their extinguishing operation. He said the death toll is 70 so far.
The blaze started late Wednesday night in one building but quickly spread to others, fire department Director General Brigadier General Ali Ahmed said.
Officials say the death toll from the latest fire could still rise as the condition of some of the injured people was critical.
Some reports suggested many of the dead were pedestrians, shoppers or diners who died quickly as several gas cylinders exploded, and the fire engulfed nearby buildings.
Officials said the firefighters struggled to get close to the scene because of heavy traffic and narrow alleys that were busy when the fire started.
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