Bangladesh: At least 15 people were killed in a blast in a seven-storey building in Dhaka. As per reports, over 100 other people were reported to be injured and have been taken to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Several fire units were dispatched to the scene to douse the blaze following the explosion at around 4:50 pm (local time) today. According to reports, many people are feared trapped in the building and the death toll is expected to rise.
The cause of the explosion could not be ascertained
Several fire units were rushed to the spot after the explosion at around 4:50 pm (local time), bdnews24 news portal reported, quoting the fire service control room. The cause of the explosion could not be immediately ascertained.
Death toll likely to rise
The Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported that at least 14 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured in the blast. The paper said the death toll was likely to rise as several people were feared trapped in the basement of the building.
The bomb disposal unit of Rapid Action Battalion is going to the site to inspect the buildings. DMCH Police Station J+Specter Bachchu Miya said the injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. All of them are being treated at the emergency unit of the hospital, he said.
The glass panes of the bank were shattered by the blast.
The ground floor of the building houses several stores for sanitary products and a branch of BRAC Bank is located in the adjacent building. Reports said the blast shattered the glass walls of the bank and also damaged a bus parked on the other side of the road.
(With inputs from PTI)
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