Dhaka, Bangladesh: A devastating fire erupted on Tuesday at a garment factory and an adjoining chemical warehouse in Bangladesh’s capital, leaving nine workers dead and eight others injured, officials confirmed.
The blaze reportedly started at the chemical warehouse located next to the garment factory, according to Talha Bin Jasim of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Media Wing, as reported by the state-run BSS news agency.
Fire officials recovered nine bodies from the first and second floors of the garment factory. Fire Service and Civil Defence Director (Operations and Maintenance) Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said, “We suspect all of them died due to inhalation of toxic gas.” He added that the fire has been brought under control while search operations continue in the factory premises.
Talha Bin Jasim cautioned that the death toll might rise. Authorities received the fire alert at 11:40 am local time, with the first firefighting team reaching the scene by 11:56 am. Nine fire engines were deployed, and the fire was eventually subdued.
The two buildings affected by the blaze are located side by side near the Bangladesh University of Business and Technology in Rupnagar. Bangladesh has witnessed multiple industrial accidents in the past, often attributed to inadequate safety measures, highlighting ongoing concerns about workplace safety in the country.
