The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) on Wednesday said they do not know whether the building in Dhaka's Gulistan, where an explosion took place on Tuesday, is legal or not.
“As the office is closed, the documents have not been taken out and nothing can be said about the legality or illegality of the building,” Rajuk-5 Director Hamidur Rahman told reporters at the explosion site.
“I am new to this zone, therefore, I do not know much about the buildings in this area,” he said.
The explosion that occurred in a restaurant called Cafe Queen in the basement of the seven-storey building in Gulistan's Siddikbazar area on Tuesday afternoon has so far claimed the lives of 17 people.
Officials fear the death toll will likely increase as many of those rescued are critically injured.
Meanwhile, the Fire Service has formed a four-member committee to investigate the explosion. The committee was asked to submit a report within five working days.
Though the Fire Service resumed its rescue and recovery efforts for a second day on Wednesday morning, the work is moving slowly because of the risky condition of the building.
A national committee comprising the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), the army and specialized agencies has been formed.
The rescue operations will be started at full scale as per the advice of the experts of the committee.