A devastating fire has raced through densely packed buildings in a centuries-old shopping district in Bangladesh’s capital, killing at least 70 people, officials said. A devastating fire has raced through densely packed buildings in a centuries-old shopping district in Bangladesh’s capital, killing at least 70 people, officials said. The fire in Dhaka’s Chawkbazar area was mostly under control after more than 10 hours of frantic firefighting efforts. Residents of the Muslim-majority nation throng to Chawkbazar each year for traditional goods to celebrate iftar, the end of Ramadan. Firefighters and local people gather near smouldering buildings in Dhaka (AP)Fire services director Major AKM Shakil Newaz said 70 dead had been recovered and were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Source: Irish Independent February 21, 2019 05:03 UTC