Almost 23 people died and 70 were injured after a huge fire broke out in a garment packaging factory outside Dhaka on Saturday, police and witnesses said.
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AFP reported that an explosion in the boiler room led to the fire at the four-storey factory, which is located in the industrial town of Tongi, north of Dhaka.
A local police officer said that at least 10 people were killed in the fire.
A fire official, Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, told Reuters that the blaze had been contained, but said that rescue efforts by officials are ongoing.
A fire broke out after the explosion, which happened while employees were inside the facility in Gazipur district.
The minister said his office will provide the deceased families with the compensation and ensure medical care for those who suffer injuries.
This was the last work day at the factory before the start of the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha, which is set to begin on Tuesday in Bangladesh. Mia, the doctor, said seriously injured victims had been sent to hospitals in the capital Dhaka.
The manufacturing plant produces and prints plastic packing for potato chips and other household good such as mosquito coils.
“We have launched investigation. the persons responsible for the accident, the owner of the factory in particular, will face stern legal action”, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said.
A five-member probe body has been formed to look into the incident.
Ready-made garments are the mainstay of the Bangladeshi economy.
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Fires and other accidents in factories are common in Bangladesh where reports say the fire protection system is weak. The biggest industrial disaster since Rana Plaza building collapse in 2013 left 24 workers dead and 74 injured.
