At least 40 people were killed and more than 100 injured in a fire in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka today, the Fire Service said.
"The death toll is now 40 and the figure may rise and we are searching for more victims," a fire-fighter confirmed to reporters.
Local television channel ATN Bangla earlier said at least 34 people including women and children were killed and more than 100 others injured when a fire started in an old part of Dhaka.
Dead and injured were rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where sobbing relatives looked for loved ones.
"We are baffled at such a rush of death and injured altogether," a doctor at the hospital said.
The fire was started by an explosion in an electrical transformer at 10.30pm (1630 Irish time), and then spread to residential and commercial buildings, witnesses said.
Reuters