Heavy rains, flash floods kill 51 as over one million affected in Bangladesh

At least 51 people have lost their lives and more than one million people have been affected after days of relentless monsoon rains, flash floods and landslides battered Bangladesh, leaving thousands homeless and forcing mass evacuations across several parts of the country.

The devastating floods have submerged communities in multiple districts, including the capital Dhaka, where flooded streets, traffic congestion and overwhelmed drainage systems have disrupted economic activities and daily life.

According to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, thousands of families have been displaced, with many taking refuge in government shelters as emergency responders continue rescue and relief operations.

Officials said the death toll could still rise as search-and-rescue teams continue to reach isolated communities cut off by floodwaters and damaged infrastructure.

The worst-hit area is Cox’s Bazar, where 28 of the 51 fatalities have been recorded. The southeastern district is home to more than one million Rohingya refugees, making it the world’s largest refugee settlement.

The severe weather has significantly worsened conditions in the refugee camps, where landslides and flooding have damaged shelters, blocked access roads and disrupted the delivery of food, clean water and medical supplies.

Last week, the disaster claimed the lives of several students and a teacher after floodwaters swept through their school in Cox’s Bazar, underscoring the growing dangers posed by the heavy rains.

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Before the flooding intensified, Bangladesh’s disaster management authorities had issued warnings about possible floods and landslides, prompting the evacuation of residents living in vulnerable communities.

Educational authorities also postponed public examinations in several districts to safeguard students and school personnel as the weather deteriorated.

In Dhaka, residents reported widespread flooding, with water rising to knee level in several neighbourhoods and causing severe traffic disruptions.

The flooding has also renewed concerns over the capital’s drainage infrastructure, with local media questioning the effectiveness of previous government investments aimed at improving flood management in the rapidly growing city.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), water levels in several rivers remain above danger levels, although conditions in parts of southeastern Bangladesh are expected to improve gradually.

However, forecasters warned that continuing monsoon rainfall across the northeastern and northern regions could trigger additional flooding in the coming days, increasing the risk to already affected communities.

Emergency responders, including the Bangladesh Army, Fire Service and Civil Defence, police personnel and volunteers, have been deployed to rescue stranded residents, evacuate vulnerable families and distribute food, clean drinking water, medicines and other relief materials.

Authorities said numerous roads, bridges and embankments have been damaged, making access to several flood-hit communities difficult and slowing humanitarian operations.

Health officials have also raised concerns over the growing risk of waterborne diseases, including cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid, due to contaminated water supplies and overcrowded temporary shelters.

The government has urged residents living in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas to remain vigilant, monitor official weather advisories and comply with evacuation orders where necessary.

Bangladesh experiences seasonal flooding during its annual monsoon season, but climate experts say the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have increased due to climate change, rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.

As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, Bangladesh continues to face recurring floods, cyclones and river erosion that threaten millions of lives and livelihoods every year.

International humanitarian organisations, including United Nations agencies and aid groups working in the Rohingya refugee camps, are supporting relief efforts by providing emergency assistance to affected families.

Authorities said damage assessments are ongoing as rescue workers continue searching for missing persons and delivering humanitarian aid to flood-affected communities across the country.

Heavy rains, flash floods kill 51 as over one million affected in Bangladesh

Bangkok bar fire kills at least 27, leaves 25 critically injured

At least 27 people have been killed and 25 others remain in critical condition after a devastating fire engulfed Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in Bangkok, Thailand, triggering one of the country’s deadliest nightlife disasters in recent years.

The tragic incident occurred late on Sunday in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, where the blaze reportedly started near the stage of the crowded entertainment venue before spreading rapidly through the building, cutting off electricity and filling the premises with thick smoke.

Eyewitnesses said panic erupted as customers and staff scrambled for safety, with many forced to flee through the building’s main entrance while flames spread across the venue.

Videos shared on social media captured horrifying scenes of terrified patrons screaming for help, while some escaped with their clothes on fire.

Emergency responders were alerted by a passing motorist shortly after midnight, prompting firefighters to rush to the scene. The fire was brought under control within about 30 minutes, but not before causing extensive destruction.

Rescue teams later discovered the bodies of many victims inside one of the bar’s bathrooms, where they had reportedly taken shelter in a desperate attempt to escape the smoke and flames.

According to Thai authorities, nine men and 18 women were among those killed, while 73 people sustained injuries, including 25 victims who remain in critical condition in hospitals across Bangkok.

Officials from Bangkok’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said preliminary findings indicate that most of the victims died from smoke inhalation, while others suffered severe burns during the fire.

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One survivor, Kaew-udon Poungppany, a 24-year-old citizen of Laos, recounted his unsuccessful attempt to rescue his younger brother, Phonepaseut Poungppany, who died in the tragedy.

“I grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed it at the door, but I couldn’t go any further. I heard people screaming,” he told reporters.

Another eyewitness, Surin Jaiharn, said he helped several people escape by using pieces of clothing to extinguish flames on their bodies before emergency services arrived.

Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the fire.

Preliminary investigations suggest the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit in an air-conditioning unit, although officials stressed that forensic experts are still examining the scene and no official cause has been confirmed.

Bangkok Governor Chatchart Sittipunt said investigators are also examining whether highly flammable decorative materials installed on the ceiling contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

He disclosed that some victims were found unconscious close to the emergency exit, raising concerns that the escape route may have been blocked or difficult to access during the evacuation.

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, visited the scene and said a musician who was performing when the fire broke out reported hearing what sounded like explosions before smoke and flames engulfed the building.

According to the minister, many customers ran toward the rear of the building and hid inside the toilets, where a large number of victims were later found.

Authorities have since sealed off the entertainment venue, while the Chatuchak District Office ordered the building closed for 30 days pending the outcome of investigations.

The Thai government also announced financial assistance for victims’ families. Relatives of those who died will receive 29,300 Thai baht in compensation, while injured survivors undergoing treatment will receive 4,000 baht in emergency assistance.

The latest tragedy has once again raised concerns over fire safety standards in Thailand’s entertainment industry.

In 2022, a nightclub fire in Chon Buri Province killed 22 people and injured dozens after flames rapidly engulfed the venue.

Earlier, the Santika Club fire in Bangkok on January 1, 2009, claimed 66 lives and left more than 200 people injured, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations.

In 2024, another electrical fire at Bangkok’s famous Chatuchak Weekend Market killed more than 1,000 animals, further highlighting ongoing concerns over electrical safety in public facilities.

Authorities have pledged a thorough investigation into the latest disaster, with investigators expected to determine whether negligence, electrical faults or violations of building safety regulations contributed to the deadly fire.

Bangkok bar fire kills at least 27, leaves 25 critically injured

UK reaffirms visa requirement for Nigerians, citizens of 32 other African countries

The United Kingdom (UK) has reaffirmed that Nigerian citizens and nationals of 32 other African countries must continue to obtain a UK visa before travelling to or transiting through the country, despite recent updates to its immigration guidance.

The confirmation follows a revised UK Home Office guidance on visa requirements for visitors travelling to the UK for stays of up to six months. The updated rules maintain Nigeria and 32 other African countries on the list of nationalities that require entry clearance before travelling, unless they qualify for specific exemptions under UK immigration laws.

According to the Home Office, nationals of more than 100 countries and territories are still required to obtain a visa before entering the UK. The requirement applies to travellers visiting for tourism, business, family visits, short-term study and other temporary purposes.

The guidance also extends to certain passengers making connecting flights through British airports. Depending on their nationality, travel route and immigration status, some transit passengers may be required to obtain a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) or another form of transit permission before travelling.

The Home Office further clarified that stateless persons and individuals travelling with documents other than officially recognised national passports or accepted identity documents must also secure entry clearance before departure unless they fall within an exemption category.

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The latest update comes as the UK continues expanding its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) programme for eligible visa-free countries. However, Nigeria is not among the countries currently eligible for the ETA, meaning Nigerian passport holders must continue applying for a visa before travelling to the UK.

The UK government advised intending travellers to verify their visa status before booking flights or making travel arrangements, warning that airlines may deny boarding to passengers who fail to present valid visas or the required travel authorisation.

Officials said the updated guidance forms part of the UK’s broader efforts to strengthen border security, improve immigration compliance and streamline entry procedures while maintaining national security.

The United Kingdom remains one of the leading destinations for Nigerian students, professionals, tourists and business travellers. Thousands of Nigerians travel to the UK annually for higher education, employment, healthcare, tourism and family visits, making the country one of Nigeria’s most popular international destinations.

Immigration experts have advised travellers to consult the latest Home Office guidance before travelling, noting that visa rules may differ depending on the purpose of travel, passport type, immigration status and whether the traveller qualifies for any exemptions.

The 33 African countries whose citizens continue to require a UK visa are:

• Algeria
• Angola
• Botswana
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Republic of the Congo
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Egypt
• Eritrea
• Eswatini
• Ethiopia
• The Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Libya
• Malawi
• Namibia
• Nigeria
• Rwanda
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Zimbabwe

The Home Office encouraged prospective visitors to check the latest immigration requirements before departure, stressing that compliance with visa regulations will help prevent travel disruptions, delays and refusal of boarding at airports.

UK reaffirms visa requirement for Nigerians, citizens of 32 other African countries