At least six Bangladeshis, including five residents of Narayanganj district, have died in a devastating fire at a shop in Queenstown, South Africa.
The incident occurred around 3am on Tuesday in Eastern Cape province.
Among the deceased, four were residents of Alirtek union and one was from Baktabali union, both under Narayanganj Sadar upazila. The sixth victim was a resident of Rikabibazar area in Munshiganj.
Rowshan Ali, a member of Alirtek union and the owner of the shop, confirmed the fatalities via telephone. He said four of the victims were from his union and noted that all six individuals were relatives.
However, local authorities in Bangladesh are yet to receive formal confirmation of the tragedy. SM Foyez Uddin, Narayanganj Sadar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), said, “We have not yet received any message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Even the families of the victims have not contacted us. We are looking into the matter”.
Sajedur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Narayanganj Sadar Model Police Station, provided similar information, stating that no official data has been received regarding the incident.
The detailed identities of deceased and cause of fire are yet to be confirmed.
