A boiler exploded and triggered a fire at a packaging factory near Bangladesh’s capital on Saturday, killing at least 21 people and injuring dozens, officials said.
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Firefighters are still battling to douse the fire that was triggered by explosions at a packaging factory in Tongi of Gazipur yesterday.
“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.
He confirmed that at least 23 people had died and local television stations said about 50 people were injured. “But the toll will go up as the fire is still not under control”, Police Inspector Sirajul Islam told AFP. “As a result, the fire took no time to spread”, Tahmidul Islam said.
“We do not know when the search will be completed as it is a huge task”, said Ajit Kumar Bhoumik, a senior fire department official. “I feel lucky and heartbroken”, he said, tearfully as he helped rush the injured to hospital. The Rana Plaza factory collapse incident is still fresh in minds for Bangladeshi people.
The company, Tampaco Foils Ltd., lists Nabisco and local affiliates of British American Tobacco and Nestle as clients on its website. A fire at a garment factory in a Dhaka suburb killed 112 workers in 2012.
People in Bangladesh gather near an industrial complex after a factory fire which killed at least 20 people.
Thousands of such factories supply goods to global clothing chains like Primark and H and M.
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In 2013, more than 1,100 workers died in a building collapse that ranks as the country’s worst industrial disaster.
