Decision on fate of affected building after 45 days, says Rajuk official

It will take 45 days to assess whether the building in Gulistan, which was the site of a deadly blast on Tuesday that claimed 22 lives so far, will be repaired or demolished, a member of the Rajuk probe body said today.

Replying to a query, Rajuk probe committee member Rangon Mondol said this while visiting the site of the explosion this morning.

A total of nine columns need to be propped up to give them support to ensure that the building is stable.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the blast rose to 22 as another patient on life support died at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery last night.

More than 100 people were also injured in the explosion at a building in Gulistan's Siddikbazar on Tuesday.

Eight others undergoing treatment at the burn institute are in critical condition.

Earlier, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) formed a six-member committee to assess the condition of the building.

The committee, led by Major (retd) Shamsuddin, was set to submit a report within three working days.