Seven Bangladeshis were asleep in living quarters inside the shop when the fire broke out.
Six Bangladeshis killed and one critically injured in a shop fire in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Photo: Collected
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Six Bangladeshis killed and one critically injured in a shop fire in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Photo: Collected
Six Bangladeshi nationals were killed, and another was critically injured after a fire broke out at a shop near Queenstown in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province early today (28 July).
The identities of four victims have so far been confirmed as Md Faisal, 25, Md Fahim, 28, Shamim Hasan, 30, and Mohammad Apon, 24.
Rowshon Ali, a member of Alirtek Union Parishad in Narayanganj Sadar, told UNB that four of the deceased were from his union, another was from neighbouring Baktaboli union, and the sixth victim hailed from Rikabibazar in Munshiganj.
“All of them were relatives. We are deeply saddened by the news,” Rowshon said over the phone.
According to local sources, seven Bangladeshis were asleep in living quarters inside the shop when the fire broke out. Six of them died at the scene, while the injured survivor was admitted to Queenstown Hospital.
Another victim was identified as Rajik Bepari, 52, of Munshiganj Sadar, according to his family.
Rajik’s relatives said he had travelled to South Africa around two-and-a-half months ago and had been working at the shop.
“My brother went abroad to support his family. We heard about the fire this morning, and later found out he was among those killed. He leaves behind his pregnant wife and three daughters,” his sister Fatema said, breaking down in tears.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, the Bangladesh High Commission in Pretoria expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and wished the injured Bangladeshi a speedy recovery.
The mission said High Commissioner Shah Ahmed Shafi was due to visit Tsomo today to inspect the scene, gather information about the victims and the injured survivor, and meet local authorities and senior South African police officials.
It said the High Commission would continue to work with the local administration to ensure all possible assistance for the affected Bangladeshis.
SM Foyez Uddin, upazila nirbahi officer of Narayanganj Sadar, said the administration had learned of the incident and was collecting further details.
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