Lankan killed while escaping a fire in Dhaka

A Sri Lankan national has reportedly fallen to his death while escaping the fire at a high-rise building in Banani, Dhaka this afternoon.

Bangladesh’s Daily Star reported the Lankan, had died before he was brought to hospital.

A hospital source said the Lankan sustained serious injuries as he jumped off the building to escape the fire and died.

At least seven people have been killed and more than 40 injured in the fire in Bangladesh.

Dozens of people are feared trapped inside the 19-storey office block in Banani.

People were seen shouting for help from windows and local media say six people have jumped out of the building.

Fire crews at the scene, backed by members of the navy and air force, say the blaze has been brought under control.

Air force helicopters were seen rescuing people from the rooftop while others also dropped water on the burning building from above.

Large fires are relatively common in Bangladesh, owing to lax safety regulations and poor building conditions.