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Fire at tin-shed shanties in Dhaka’s Hazaribagh under control
A fire that broke out in a tin-shed slum in Jhaocharer Moar of Hazaribagh area in Dhaka on Friday noon was brought under control around one hour after the fire erupted.
Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters, confirmed the matter saying that they brought the ablaze around 12:40 pm, around one hour after the fire.
Earlier around 11:50 am, the fire started in one of the tin-shed houses of the slum engulfing other houses within a short time.
Being informed, seven firefighting units from several stations rushed to the spot and were trying to bring the flame under control, he said, adding that finally the fire is now under control.
The reason behind the fire and damages caused by it could not be known immediately, the inspector added.
6 of a family burnt in fire in Dhaka’s Bhashantek
Six members including two minors of a family sustained severe burn injuries in a fire suspected to be originated from a mosquito coil in Paschim Bhashantek area of Dhaka early Friday.
The victims were identified as Md Liton, 52, his wife Surjo Banu, 40, mother-in-law Meherunnesa, 65, daughters Liza, 18, Lamia, 7, and son Sujon, 8.
All the injured were admitted to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, said the institute’s resident surgeon Dr Tariqul Islam.
Of the injured, Liton sustained 67 percent burn, Banu 82 percent, Meherunnesa 47 percent, Liza 30 percent, Lamia 55 percent and Sujon 43 percent, said the physician.
Neighbour Moyna Banu said victim Liton used to live with his family on the ground floor of a two-storey building on Culvert Road in Paschim Bhashantek area. He runs a business of electronic appliances and furniture in the area.
The kitchen and other rooms of the flat were covered with gas as mice might have cut off the gas cylinder's pipe, she said.
A fire broke out with a big bang when Liton was about to ignite the coil, leaving all the family members injured, the neighbour said.
Hearing screams, locals rushed and took them to the burn institute, she added.
Car catches fire on Dhaka Elevated Expressway
A car went up in flames on the Dhaka Elevated Expressway in the capital on Thursday afternoon.
No casualties were reported in the incident.
The incident took place around 5:17pm near the Kuril Bishwa Road area on Eid-ul-Fitr day.
"Two firefighting units from Kurmitola Fire Station brought the fire under control at around 5:45pm," said Mohammad Safiqul Islam, deputy assistant director Fire Service and Civil Defence, Dhaka (Zone-03).
It was not immediately known what caused the fire, said the officer.
BIWTA forms probe committee over launch accident at Sadarghat terminal
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has formed a three-member committee to investigate the launch accident that left five people dead on Thursday afternoon.
The committee headed by BIWTA Director (Purchase and Conservation) Md Rafiqul Islam has been asked to submit a report within 5 working days, said Md Jahangir Alam Khan, senior information and public relations officer of the Shipping Ministry.
The other members of the committee are Joint Director of Naval Conservation and Management Department Md Azgar Ali and Joint Director of Port Branch Md Kabir Hossain.
Earlier around 2:54 pm, five people, including a woman and child, were killed after the rope of a launch snapped at Dhaka's Sadarghat terminal.
"Two launches, MV Tusharif 4 and MV Pubali 1, were tied to the pontoon with ropes. When another launch named Farhan 4 tried to enter between the two launches, the rope of MV Tusharif 4 tore."
On impact, four people died on the spot and the child on the way to the hospital, said Alamgir Kabir, joint director of BIWTA and incharge of Sadarghat river port.
Teen dies by elephant attack at Mirpur Zoo
A 17-year-old boy died after being attacked by an elephant at the National Zoo in Dhaka's Mirpur this morning.
The deceased was identified as Zahid, son of Azad Ali. Azad Ali is a mahout of the zoo and a resident of Moulvibazar's Kulaura upazila.
This incident happened on Thursday around 11 am, said Dr. Rafiqul Islam Talukder, director at the Zoo.
He said mahout Azad Ali entered inside the elephant cage with his son Zahid. Suddenly, one of the five elephants attacked Zahid, leaving him seroiusly injured.
But Zahid's father Azad Ali, did not inform the matter to the authorities and left for Kulaura with his son.
Zahid died on the way to the Kulaura, added the director.
Launch accident leaves 5 dead at Sadarghat terminal
At least five people, including a woman and child, were killed after the rope of a launch snapped at Dhaka's Sadarghat terminal on Eid day Thursday, said a BIWTA official.
The identities of the deceased could not be ascertained immediately.
"The incident occurred around 2:54 pm in front of pontoon no 11, Joint Director of BIWTA and Incharge of Sadarghat river port Alamgir Kabir confirmed.
"Two launches, MV Tusharif 4 and MV Pubali 1, were tied to the pontoon with ropes. When another launch named Farhan 4 tried to enter between the two launches, the rope of MV Tusharif 4 tore."
On impact, four people died on the spot and the child on the way to the hospital, Alamgir Kabir said.
Health Minister happy with doctors, nurses presence at hospitals despite Eid holidays
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Samanta Lal Sen on Thursday expressed satisfaction after he found physicians and nurses on duty at several hospitals despite Eid holidays.
Dr Sen expressed his satisfaction while visiting Mugda Medical College & Hospital in Dhaka this afternoon.
He said, "I visited several hospitals yesterday (Wednesday). I will also visit a few more hospitals today. I found enough doctors and nurses in every hospitals I have visited and I am satisfied with their services."
"I also talked to the patients and no one complained," added the minister.
"Besides, I sent message to the directors of all the hospitals across the country and there was no interruption in health services," he said.
"This is my first Eid as a minister. I hope the people of the country are celebrating Eid joyously and happily," said the minister.
The minister also visited Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Sheikh Hasina burn unit.
During the visit, Dr Sen talked to patients, visitors, doctors, nurses and other officials of the hospitals and asked the health service providers to maintain health care systems properly during the Eid vacation.
Among others, the Secretary of the Health Services Department M Jahangir Alam, Director General of the Health Department Abul Basar Mohammed Khurshid Alam, Private Secretary of the Health Minister Kamal Kumar Ghosh were also present.
Foreign Minister prays for national harmony, removal of evil forces on Eid-ul-Fitr
In an address following Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the Sukhbilas Jame Mosque in Rangunia upazila, Foreign Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr. Hasan Mahmud offered prayers for national unity and the eradication of evil forces from Bangladesh.
During his Eid message, Dr. Hasan extended greetings to Bangladeshis at home and abroad, expressing hope for the continuation and acceleration of the peace and developmental strides achieved under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. "Under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter, our country has emerged as a role model of development and peace for the world. It is my prayer that this trajectory not only continues but also accelerates further," he stated.
Highlighting the diverse foundation of the nation, he remarked, "Our country is built on the sacrifices of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians alike. It is my prayer that all forms of communal and malevolent forces be removed permanently from our land and that all citizens, regardless of faith, unite in the pursuit of national development."
Dr. Mahmud also addressed international concerns, specifically the ongoing conflict in Palestine. "The indiscriminate violence against Palestinians, including women and children, must end. We pray for immediate peace in the region and for an end to the atrocities committed there," he said.
In addition to his prayers for global peace, Dr. Hasan prayed for the health and longevity of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, emphasising the importance of her continued leadership for Bangladesh’s future prosperity.
Senior Info Secretary urges all to enhance Bangladesh’s image abroad
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md. Humayun Kabir Khandaker has called upon all concerned including diplomats to work more sincerity and integrity to further brighten the country’s image abroad.
He simultaneously urged them to project the impressive socioeconomic progress that Bangladesh achieved in the last 15 years under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Senior Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry made the call while exchanging views with senior officials of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC recently.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran delivered the welcome address at the meeting.
A two-member Bangladesh delegation led by the Senior Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry is now in the US capital to hold meetings with the officials concerned of the Library of Congress to collect the video footage relating to the Liberation War and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the Library.
Humayun Kabir mentioned that under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh attained impressive progress in the last one and a half decades and became a role model for development in the world. It's the responsibility to project this success for further brightening the country’s image abroad and work sincerely in building ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041, he added.
The Senior Secretary underscored the need for undertaking more effective measures by all to stop anti-state propaganda abroad.
He also paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his bust at Bangabandhu Corner of the Mission and went round its different parts including the Press Wing.
Upon his arrival at the Embassy, Humayun Kabir Khandaker was received by Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain.
On April 5, the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting attended the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on collection and preservation of the video footage relating to the Liberation War and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman between Bangladesh Film Archive and Getty Images, a reputed visual agency of the USA, in New York.
On behalf of Bangladesh Film Archive, Dr. Md. Mofakkharul Iqbal, Director of the project titled “Collection and Preservation of Audiovisual Documents of the Liberation War from Local and Foreign Sources and Capacity Building of the Bangladesh Film Archive”, and Arran Birchenough, the Asia Pacific TV and Sales Director of Getty Images, inked the MoU in the presence of the Senior Secretary.
Security guard stabbed to death in Gulshan area
Police have recovered the body of a security guard of an ATM booth of Modhumoti Bank who was hacked to death by miscreants in the capital's Shahjadpur area of Gulshan early Wednesday.
The deceased was identified as Hasan Mahmud, 55.
Mild heat wave sweeps 7 dists
Mazharul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Gulshan Police Station, said some unknown miscreants stabbed a security guard at the ATM booth of Modhumoti Bank under a multi-storey building named Maisha Chowdhury Tauar in Shahjadpur area of Gulshan around 5:15 am. However, it is believed that the miscreants failed to take money from the ATM booth.
The work is underway to collect CCTV footage of the ATM booth and identify those involved in the incident, said the OC.
40 shanties gutted in Chattogram fire
The body was sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, he added.