A fire at a garment factory and chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has killed at least 16 people, with officials warning the death toll may rise. The blaze on Tuesday underscores ongoing safety issues in the country’s vital textiles industry.
The fire broke out around midday on the third floor of a seven-storey factory in the Mirpur area, quickly spreading to an adjacent chemical warehouse. Firefighters took nearly three hours to control the factory fire, while the warehouse continued to burn for hours. Distraught relatives gathered, searching for missing family members amid the chaos.
Sixteen bodies have been recovered, many burned beyond recognition, requiring DNA testing for identification. Fire service director Tajul Islam Chowdhury stated that toxic gas inhalation and a locked roof door contributed to the deaths. Recovery operations are ongoing, and the toll is expected to increase.
The chemical warehouse stored hazardous materials like bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide, which intensified the fire and released toxic fumes. Authorities are investigating the cause and which building ignited first. The warehouse lacked a fire safety clearance and was likely operating illegally, according to officials.
Police and military are searching for the owners of both establishments, who have not been identified. This incident is part of a pattern of industrial disasters in Bangladesh, where lax safety standards are common. Past tragedies include the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse that killed over 1,100 people.
Bangladesh’s textiles sector employs four million people and is a key export earner, but repeated accidents have raised concerns. Interim government head Muhammad Yunus expressed sorrow and ordered an investigation and assistance for victims. The focus now is on accountability and implementing stricter safety measures to prevent future losses.