A devastating fire at a garment factory and chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has killed at least 16 people, with officials warning the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
The blaze erupted around midday on Tuesday in the Mirpur area of Dhaka, starting on the third floor of a seven-storey garment factory before rapidly spreading to an adjacent chemical warehouse. Firefighters battled the intense flames for over three hours, managing to bring the factory fire under control, but the chemical warehouse continued to burn for hours, releasing toxic fumes and complicating rescue efforts.
Sixteen bodies have been recovered from the second and third floors of the factory, many burnt beyond recognition, requiring DNA testing for identification. Distraught relatives gathered at the scene, clutching photographs of missing loved ones, as rescue teams worked tirelessly to locate more victims amid the charred debris.
Authorities suspect that the deaths were primarily caused by inhalation of highly toxic gases released from burning chemicals stored in the warehouse, which included bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide. Fire service director Tajul Islam Chowdhury noted that victims likely died “instantly” from gas inhalation, and locked exit doors may have trapped workers inside, exacerbating the tragedy.
Fire service officials confirmed that the chemical warehouse lacked a fire safety clearance or operating license, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire and hold responsible parties accountable. Police and military personnel are searching for the factory and warehouse owners, who have not yet been identified, amid questions about the legality of the operations.
This incident underscores the persistent issues of lax safety standards and poor infrastructure in Bangladesh’s industrial sector, particularly in the garment industry, which employs four million people and accounts for over 10% of the country’s GDP. Past disasters, such as the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse that killed over 1,100 people, have repeatedly highlighted systemic failures in worker safety.
In response, interim government head Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow and directed authorities to provide all necessary assistance to victims and their families. The event has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent future tragedies in Bangladesh’s vital textiles sector, which supplies numerous international brands.
As recovery operations persist, the death toll is expected to climb, and the investigation will focus on whether the warehouse was operating illegally. This fire serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of industrial negligence and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect workers in one of the world’s largest garment-producing nations.