‘Earthquake-like’ building explosion kills 17 and injures more than 100 in Bangladesh

‘I saw 20-25 people lying in front of a damaged building. They were crying out for help. Some were running’

Firefighters and emergency teams work amid debris a day after an explosion inside a building in Dhaka on 8 March (AFP via Getty Images)

At least 17 were killed and more than 100 injured after a powerful “earthquake-like” explosion ripped through a six-storey building in Bangladesh.

The explosion occurred around 4.50pm local time on Tuesday in Dhaka’s crowded Gulistan area. At least 200 firemen in 11 firefighting units were dispatched for rescue and relief operations.

By Wednesday morning, the bodies of 17 people were handed over to their families, reported local media. Two women were among those who died.