At least 16 people have died after a massive fire engulfed a garment factory in Dhaka’s Mirpur area on Tuesday, leaving distraught families desperate for news of missing loved ones. Officials warned that the death toll could rise as rescue and recovery operations continue.
The fire broke out around midday at the four-storey factory. Firefighters battled the blaze for three hours before bringing it under control, but an adjacent chemical warehouse continued to burn into the evening. The warehouse reportedly stored bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can intensify flames and release toxic fumes when burned. Fire service director Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said the victims were likely killed instantly by inhaling the highly toxic gases.
Sixteen bodies have been recovered so far, though officials said they were burned beyond recognition. Police and military personnel are still trying to locate the owners of both the factory and the chemical warehouse, while an investigation is ongoing into whether the warehouse was operating legally. 
Large industrial fires are a recurring tragedy in Bangladesh, often linked to weak safety standards and poor infrastructure. In 2021, a food and drink factory fire killed at least 52 people. In 2019, a fire swept through Dhaka’s historic district, leaving 78 dead. The country’s deadliest industrial disaster occurred in 2013 when a building collapse killed over 1,100 people.
