DHAKA: Struck speechless by a procession of dead bodies, the entire nation is mourning Saturday Thursday night’ s Nimtoli tragedy that left at least 120 people roasted alive and around 150 others in the torment of burns.
The national flag has been lowered half-mast in government, semi-government and non-government offices in tune with the National Mourning Day.
As part of the day’s program, special prayers will be offered in mosques and other places of worship across the country seeking salvation of the departed souls and quick recovery of the injured.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Friday visited the burn-injured people admitted into Dhaka Medical College Hospital and directed the authorities concerned to provide them the best treatment possible. She also then declared Saturday as National Mourning Day.
Prime Minister Hasina also prayed whole night on Friday night for the deceased and wounded persons, sources close to the premier said.
President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Leader of the Opposition and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, leaders of different political parties and foreign diplomats, in separate condolence messages, expressed their deep shock and sorrow over the colossal loss of life and property in the worst fire havoc ever in the country’s recent history.
Meanwhile, a three-member probe committee led by Home Ministry`s additional secretary Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury was formed to ascertain the actual cause of the fire which skeptics apprehend may remain clouded in mystery. It was asked to repot in seven days.
A total 120 people burn to death and more than 150 suffered severe burns in the devastating fire in Old Dhaka`s densely populated Nimtoli locality where family homes and factories mushroomed into a veritable concrete jungle.
Immediate notion was that an electrical transformer blast caused the fire, but subsequent findings show that the blaze spread to dwelling houses and shops at a terrible speed that can only be created by highly combustible chemicals.
BDST: 1120HRS. June 5, 2010
TSA/MUA
