At least 16 people were killed after a devastating fire ripped through a garment factory in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, on Tuesday. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.

The blaze erupted around midday at a four-storey garment factory in the Mirpur district. Firefighters battled the flames for nearly three hours before bringing it under control, though an adjoining chemical warehouse continued to burn late into the evening.

Sixteen charred bodies were recovered from the scene, all burned beyond recognition, according to the Bangladesh Fire Service. Eyewitnesses reported hearing small explosions as flames spread rapidly through the densely packed industrial buildings.

Toxic fumes and missing workers

Fire service director Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said the victims likely died “instantly” after inhaling highly toxic gas released from burning chemicals. The warehouse is believed to have stored bleaching powder, hydrogen peroxide, and plastic materials — substances that can intensify fires and emit poisonous fumes.

Distraught relatives gathered outside the factory gates, holding photos of missing family members. Among them was a father searching for his daughter, Farzana Akhter. “When I heard about the fire, I came running. But I still haven’t found her. I just want my daughter back,” he told Reuters.

Investigation underway

Authorities have yet to determine which building caught fire first. Police and army officers are trying to locate the factory and warehouse owners as investigators look into whether the chemical storage facility was operating legally.

Local media reported that as of 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT), the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished. Officials warned that the toll could rise once recovery operations conclude.

Industrial fires remain a recurring tragedy in Bangladesh due to poor infrastructure and weak safety enforcement. In 2021, a fire at a food factory killed at least 52 people, while a 2019 blaze in Dhaka’s historic district claimed 78 lives.

The country’s deadliest industrial disaster occurred in 2013, when the eight-storey Rana Plaza building collapsed, killing more than 1,100 workers — a tragedy that exposed severe lapses in workplace safety.