Staff at two leading Bangladeshi newspapers, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, faced a terrifying ordeal as protesters set their offices on fire. The unrest followed the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key activist who was shot last week in Dhaka and died on Thursday. Protesters stormed the offices on Thursday night and demonstrations continued the next day. "It is one of the darkest days for independent journalism in Bangladesh," said The Daily Star. For the first time in 35 years, it could not print its edition on Friday and will remain "inoperable for a while," said consulting editor Kamal Ahmed. Twenty-eight staff were trapped on the rooftop, "gasping for fresh air," until rescued by military forces. No serious injuries were reported, but large parts of both buildings were burned. Smoke lingered on Friday. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, condemned the attacks as "attacks on truth itself" and promised full justice. It said the country’s historic democratic transition must not be disrupted by those "who thrive on chaos and reject peace." Bangladesh plans elections in February 2025, the first since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted. Hadi, who was a senior student leader and planned to run as an independent candidate, was shot just after election dates were announced. He was a vocal critic of India and held a large following since last year’s protests. Yunus called Hadi’s death "an irreparable loss for the nation" and accused conspirators aiming to derail the election. Several people have been detained as investigations continue. Other buildings linked to Hasina’s family were also vandalised. Hasina herself fled to India in 2004 and was sentenced to death last November for crimes against humanity during protests.