24 killed as mob sets fire to AL Leader-owned hotel in Jashore

A foreigner among 24 has been killed in a fire at The Zabeer Jashore, an international hotel, owned by District Awami League General Secretary Shahin Chakladar.

The dead Utom D Joko, an Indonesian citizen, was a buyer in the garment industry.

Joko's body had been received by a garments owner named Shakhawat Hossain from Magura’s Shreepur, said Sohel Rana, deputy assistant director of the Jashore Fire Service and Civil Defence.

The fire, which broke out early Tuesday morning, was brought under control by 5am, according to Rana.

The fire spread rapidly through the 16-storey building due to the high flammability of the plastic and other combustible materials used in the hotel's decor.

The intense heat and smoke caused many of the deaths, primarily due to suffocation.

Jashore General Hospital authorities said the relatives received the burnt bodies without post-mortem examinations, as requested. None of the bodies could be identified.

The family of one missing person is still searching for their loved one.

Meanwhile, the Anti-discrimination Student Movement committee in Jashore held a mourning rally.

Rashed Khan, the committee’s coordinator, said the event was tragic and condemnable, and they do not support such incidents.