Trapped Daily Star Journalists Rescued After Deadly Night Fire

A harrowing night unfolded in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar area on Thursday as violent unrest led to arson attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, leaving dozens of journalists trapped amid smoke and flames and prompting a large-scale rescue operation by the Fire Service and the army.

The violence erupted after news spread of the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of the Inkilab Manch. Shortly after nightfall on Thursday (18 December), a group of agitated individuals targeted the Prothom Alo building first, setting fire to parts of the premises. The unrest soon escalated, with the attackers moving on to the nearby office of The Daily Star, where they carried out further acts of vandalism and arson.

As flames engulfed the lower floors of The Daily Star building, thick smoke quickly filled the structure, trapping journalists, editors, and staff members inside. With no safe route of escape, many were forced to flee to the rooftop, where they remained stranded for an extended period as the fire burned below.

One of the trapped journalists, Zaima Islam, conveyed the severity of the situation in a distressing Facebook post that quickly drew national attention. “I can no longer breathe. There is smoke everywhere. I am trapped inside. You are killing me,” she wrote, capturing the fear and desperation experienced by those inside the building.

Daily Star journalists Rakibul Haque and Raksanda Rahman later confirmed that following the outbreak of the fire, numerous staff members became trapped, with many seeking refuge on the rooftop as flames blocked exits. According to them, the smoke was so dense that breathing became increasingly difficult, heightening fears of serious injury or loss of life.

Emergency rescue efforts were initially delayed, as protesters reportedly obstructed Fire Service personnel attempting to reach the scene. However, after a brief standoff, firefighters were allowed to proceed. Using a Turntable Ladder (TTL), Fire Service teams successfully rescued approximately 30 to 35 journalists, officials, and staff members from the rooftop. The fire was subsequently brought under control, and all those trapped were safely evacuated.

Members of the army were deployed to secure the area and assist in restoring order, while Fire Service crews continued operations to fully extinguish the blaze and ensure no one remained inside the building. No fatalities were officially reported, though several individuals were treated for smoke inhalation.

The attacks have sparked widespread concern over the safety of journalists and media institutions, with observers warning that such incidents pose a grave threat to press freedom and public safety. As investigations continue into the identities and motives of the attackers, the Karwan Bazar area remains under heightened security amid lingering tension.

Incident Overview