A night of chaos unfolded in Bangladesh as journalists recounted terrifying hours trapped inside burning newsrooms amid violent protests sparked by the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
The unrest erupted after Hadi, a senior leader of the student protest group Inquilab Mancha, was shot during an election campaign event in Dhaka. Critically injured, he was first taken to a local hospital before being airlifted to Singapore, where he later died. News of his death triggered widespread anger, street clashes and targeted attacks on media houses.
Two of Dhaka&rsquo;s most prominent newspapers became flashpoints of the violence. Protesters vandalised offices, set parts of the buildings on fire and accused the publications of political bias. As flames and smoke spread, journalists and staff members inside desperately sought safety while appealing online for the violence to stop.
At one newsroom, staff were warned late at night that a mob was approaching. Attempts to evacuate quickly failed as attackers stormed the ground floor, smashing property and igniting fires. With smoke filling the building, a group of journalists fled upwards and took refuge on the rooftop.
There were 28 people stranded on the roof, paralysed by fear and uncertainty. Efforts to escape proved dangerous. One canteen worker who tried to climb down using an external ladder was caught and beaten by the mob below, forcing others to abandon the attempt. As the fire raged on lower floors, firefighters eventually managed to control parts of the blaze and reached the rooftop to begin rescue operations.
Panic returned when attackers managed to reach the rooftop door. With no way out, the journalists barricaded the entrance using plant tubs and waited for hours, fearing the worst. Some struggled to breathe as smoke continued to seep upwards.
In the early hours of the morning, army personnel opened an alternative staircase, allowing the trapped staff to escape through a rear fire exit. By dawn, firefighters had brought the situation under control.
The violence was not limited to journalists. An editor who arrived at one of the sites to calm the crowd was reportedly harassed, while firefighters were injured during efforts to contain the blaze. Security forces were deployed around the affected buildings but largely focused on persuading protesters to disperse rather than using force.
Following the attacks, both newspapers suspended their online updates and halted print publication for the day, underscoring the severe impact of the violence on press freedom.
The night left journalists shaken and questioning the direction of the country, as media workers once again found themselves on the frontlines of political unrest.

Bangladesh mobs torch newsrooms, trap journalists

Rooftop escape, fires and fear as protests over a slain student leader turn violent

Bangladesh mobs torch newsrooms, trap journalists

Rooftop escape, fires and fear as protests over a slain student leader turn violent

December 19, 2025 | 19:53 IST