Minister of Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman today handed over Tk 30 lakh to the victims of Old Dhaka fire as part of the government compensation move.

Tk 20 lakh was given to the victims who are admitted at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and Tk 10 lakh for burial of the deceased people, Jahidur Rahman, public relations officer of the ministry, told The Daily Star.

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Fire: A job seeker’s anguish cut short

More money will be given as compensation to the victims of the fire incident, Rahman said.

Dr Md Enamur Rahman, an elected lawmaker from Dhaka-19, visited the victims at the hospital this noon.

The death toll from the fire at a chemical warehouse in Chawkbazar area has now risen to 70, Fire Service and Civil Defence officials said.

Scores were injured in the fire that originated around 10:40pm at a chemical warehouse on the ground floor of the five-storey building named Hazi Wahed Mansion. The flames then quickly spread to three other buildings nearby, including a community centre.

Quader promised govt compensation

Earlier, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today that the government will compensate the victims of Chawkbazar fire. 

“We will compensate the victims and rehabilitate those affected,” he said after visiting the affected area where at least 70 people has died.

Quader, general secretary of ruling Awami League, said he was at the spot under direct orders of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He visited the area around 10:15am.

“We have taken a lesson from this incident. We will take steps to avert similar incidents in the future,” he said, assuring action over this incident after a probe.

Along with him, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said his ministry will help Dhaka South City Corporation in any way possible to assist the investigation.