Bangladesh, Oct 15 : At least 16 people have died after a massive fire broke out in a garment factory and a chemical warehouse located side by side in Dhaka, Bangladesh, near the Bangladesh University of Business and Technology.
The blaze erupted around 11:40 a.m. local time on Tuesday, starting on the third floor of the seven-story garment factory, and quickly spread to the chemical warehouse storing hazardous materials, including bleaching powder, hydrogen peroxide, and plastic. Twelve firefighting units rushed to the scene, but officials warned that the area remains extremely dangerous.
Fire Service officials confirmed that 12 bodies have been taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, while search operations continue. Lt Colonel Tajul Islam Chowdhury, Director of Fire Service Operations, said some victims may have succumbed to toxic gas inhalation following a chemical explosion.
Three injured individuals Mamun (35), Sohel (32), and Suruj (30) were admitted to the Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka in critical condition.
Authorities have cordoned off the area, urging the public to stay at least 300 yards away until the fire is fully contained. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue in the hazardous chemical warehouse.