At least sixteen people have been killed after a massive fire engulfed a garment factory in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, on Tuesday, with officials warning that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
The blaze erupted around midday at a four-storey clothing factory in the city’s industrial Mirpur area and quickly spread to an adjacent chemical warehouse, authorities said. Firefighters battled the flames for more than three hours before bringing the main fire under control, but the warehouse continued to burn late into the night.
Fire Service Director Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said sixteen bodies had been recovered so far, all burned beyond recognition. “The bodies will be handed to their families after DNA testing,” he told reporters, adding that toxic fumes and blocked exits contributed to the high number of fatalities. “The victims probably died instantly after inhaling highly toxic gas.”
Officials said it was still unclear which of the two buildings caught fire first. Eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions inside the chemical warehouse, which stored bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide—materials known to intensify fires and release poisonous fumes when burned. According to the fire department, many workers were trapped on the upper floors after the roof door was found locked.
Outside the charred building, distraught relatives gathered through the day and night, clutching photographs of their missing loved ones. Among them was Mohammad Zakir, who was searching for his daughter, 22-year-old Farzana Akhter, a worker at the factory. “When I heard about the fire, I came running,” he said tearfully. “But I still haven’t found her… I just want my daughter back.”
Rescue teams, assisted by police and military personnel, continued searching for survivors and additional victims. Authorities said they were trying to locate the owners of both the garment factory and the adjoining warehouse, who remain missing.
An investigation has been launched to determine whether the warehouse was operating legally. The Bangladesh Fire Service confirmed that the facility had no fire safety clearance or licence. Local officials also stated that it lacked an occupancy certificate or any official permit to store chemicals. “This warehouse should never have been allowed to operate,” a local officer said.
Large industrial fires are tragically common in Bangladesh, where poor safety standards and weak enforcement have led to repeated disasters. In 2021, a fire at a food and beverage factory near Dhaka killed 52 people after the building’s only exit was locked. In 2019, a fast-moving blaze tore through a historic district in Dhaka, killing 78 people, including members of a bridal party.
Bangladesh’s worst industrial tragedy remains the 2013 collapse of the Rana Plaza building, which housed several garment factories. The disaster killed more than 1,100 workers and prompted international outrage, though critics say safety oversight remains inadequate even a decade later.
By Tuesday evening, officials warned that the death toll from the Mirpur fire could rise further as rescue teams continued to comb through the debris. “We fear more bodies may be inside,” said Fire Service spokesman Enamul Haque. “Many workers are still missing.”
For the families waiting outside, the long night brought only anguish. “We’ve been through this before,” said one woman clutching a photograph of her brother. “Every time they promise safety, and every time we lose our loved ones.”
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