Two Sri Lankans reported amongst victims in Dhaka building fire

Two Sri Lankans have been reported among the victims in the fire which broke out at a 22-storey building in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka today (March 28), killing at least five people, and injuring 60 and trapping many more.

According to reports,  Sri Lankan national Nirosh Vignarajah, a resident of Nittambuwa, died while attempting to jump from the building to escape the fire. The other Sri Lankan who sustained injuries has left the hospital after receiving treatment.

A source at the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the two indiviudals were among the staff of the Scanwell Logistics Company located on the 10th floor of the Dhaka building.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. The building is in the upscale, built-up Banani area of the city.

Agencies quoted witnesses as saying  many of those trapped in the building were seen waving frantically from the windows and roof.

Helicopters were brought in to join 22 firefighting units that worked with the army, navy, air force and police to battle the blaze, foreign media said.