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

One killed as Ukrainian drones ignite Russian oil refinery in Samara

Fresh Ukrainian drone attacks have killed one person and injured three others, including a child, while igniting a major fire at a Russian oil refinery in the Samara region, as Kyiv intensified its campaign against Moscow’s energy infrastructure in the latest escalation of the more than four-year war.

Regional Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said the overnight drone strikes hit residential buildings and an industrial facility in Russia’s Volga region, causing casualties and significant damage. While he did not identify the industrial site, independent Russian media outlet Astra, citing images and videos circulating on social media, reported that the target was the Syzran oil refinery.

Videos shared online showed massive flames and thick black smoke billowing from the refinery, as emergency responders battled the blaze. Authorities have yet to disclose the full extent of the damage or whether refinery operations have been suspended.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems intercepted 349 Ukrainian drones overnight, describing it as one of the largest drone assaults in recent weeks. The ministry said drones targeted multiple regions, highlighting the growing scale and sophistication of Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign.

The Syzran refinery, owned by state-controlled oil giant Rosneft, is one of Russia’s key energy facilities, with an annual crude oil processing capacity of about 8.5 million tonnes. The refinery produces petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and other petroleum products that support both civilian and industrial demand.

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The facility has been targeted repeatedly since Ukraine expanded its strategy of striking Russian energy infrastructure. Following an earlier drone attack in late May, operations at the refinery were temporarily halted after key processing equipment sustained damage.

The latest strike comes as Russia continues to grapple with disruptions to its fuel supply chain. Repeated attacks on refineries, oil depots and storage facilities have reduced refining capacity in several regions, contributing to fuel shortages and logistical challenges.

Reports indicate that some filling stations have begun rationing petrol, while motorists in affected areas have faced long queues as supplies tighten. Energy analysts say continued attacks on refining infrastructure could further strain domestic fuel distribution if repairs are delayed.

Ukraine has increasingly relied on long-range drones to target military installations, logistics hubs and energy infrastructure deep inside Russian territory. Kyiv argues that oil facilities are critical to financing Moscow’s military operations and sustaining its war effort.

The campaign is intended to increase economic and military pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin as Ukraine seeks stronger leverage in any future peace negotiations.

Meanwhile, Russia has maintained that any peace agreement must include the recognition of territories it claims to have annexed, including areas that remain only partially under Russian control. The Kremlin has continued to reject conditions proposed by Kyiv and its Western allies, leaving diplomatic efforts largely stalled.

The renewed attacks come as both countries continue to exchange long-range missile and drone strikes, targeting military assets, infrastructure and strategic facilities. Analysts warn that the intensifying campaign against energy installations on both sides could have broader implications for regional stability and international energy markets if the conflict continues to escalate.

Despite repeated international calls for restraint, there is little indication that either side is prepared to scale back military operations, raising concerns that the conflict could enter another prolonged and more destructive phase.

One killed as Ukrainian drones ignite Russian oil refinery in Samara