Chawkbazar Tragedy

Dhaka University student, father of twins, dies while taking shelter at a dental clinic during Chawkbazar fire

A student of Dhaka University (DU), among 70 others, has been killed in a devastating fire that broke out in the city’s Chawkabazar area.

The deceased was identified as Hafez Kawsar, a final year student of DU’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) department. 

Kawsar is survived by his wife, Mukta, and 11-month-old twins, Sara and Kafi.

Kawsar—along with five others—was at a dental clinic situated on the ground floor of a building that was completely gutted by the fire.

All six of them were burned alive. 

Hafez’s wife, Mukta, burst into tears while visiting her husband’s body at the Dhaka Medical College University (DMCH) morgue on Thursday morning. 

She refused to speak to reporters about her reaction.    

As of now, 70 people have been killed in the massive fire that engulfed several multi-storey buildings at Nanda Kumar Lane in Chawkbazar’s Churihatta area of Old Dhaka on Wednesday night.

A team of the Fire Service working to douse the fire on the night the fire broke out in Chawkbazar’s Churihatta area of Old Dhaka on February 20, 2018 | According to the Fire Service control room, a total of 37 units from 31 stations worked to douse the blaze.

The bodies, of 67 people burned to death in the fire, have been taken to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) morgue.

 Until now, 70 people have been reported dead, but the death toll might rise.

Among the recovered bodies, 58 are male, five are female, and the rest are children, confirmed Muradul Islam, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Chawkbazar police station. 

He said so far, they have been able to identify 19 of the victims. Hafez is one of them. 

Awami League General Secretary and also Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has stated the government will provide its full assistance to survivors of the Chawkbazar fire and the families of the deceased.

#Source:Mahumd Hossain Opu/

Dhaka Tribune
#C:Fazle Elahi