The nation yesterday mourned the death of people killed in tht city's Nimtoli fire and Begunbari building collapse.

The national flag was hoisted at half-mast on all public anc private buildings, including Banga Bhaban, Gana Bhaban Prime Minister's Office, Secretariat and foreign mission: abroad.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the national mourning day on Friday when she visited Dhaka Medical College Hospital where fire victims were undergoing treatment.

Mourners wore black badges as a mark of respect for the victims of the twin disasters at Nimtoli and Begunbari withir three days.

Special prayers were offered at all the mosques, temples churches and pagodas seeking divine blessing for salvation o: the departed souls and early recovery of the injured victims.

The Nimtali fire on Thursday night so far claimed 117 live: while many are still fighting for lives in hospitals. Meanwhile, 2f people were killed and many others injured in building collapse at Begunbari in the city onTuesday night.

Islami Foundation organised a doa mahfil at Baku Mukarram National Mosque after zohr prayers. Attending the programme, State Minister for Religious Affairs Shahjahan Miar urged the affluent section of the society to come in aid of the affected families along side the government.

Different political parties and socio-cultural organisation: held programmes and gave condolence messages to mourn tht deaths.

President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina anc Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia in separate messages have condoled the loss of many lives in the devastating fire in Ok Dhaka.Speaker M Abdul Hamid yesterday expressed deep shock at the loss of lives in the fire.

In a message, the speaker described the loss of lives as irreparable. He conveyed sympathy to the members of the bereaved families.

He prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and wished early recovery of the injured victims.

In another message, Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Abdus Shahid condoled the death of the many people and conveyed sympathy to the members of the bereaved families.