Six charred bodies have been recovered after a fire tore through a gas lighter factory in Keraniganj, on the outskirts of the capital, with officials warning the death toll could rise.
The victims were burned beyond recognition and have yet to be identified.
Police said identification would only be possible after DNA samples are collected from relatives.
The fire broke out at around 1:11pm on Saturday at the factory in Kadamtali, near the Al Baraka Hospital intersection.
Seven firefighting units were deployed and brought the blaze under control after about one and a half hours, at around 2:30pm.
The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage remain unclear.
According to the Fire Service, three units began operations within five minutes of receiving the alert, before four more units joined to contain the flames.
As news of the incident spread, relatives of missing workers gathered outside the factory, searching for loved ones.
The air was filled with cries and anguish as families waited for information.
Dhaka District Additional Magistrate Shamim Hossain said at least 15 people had been injured in the fire.
He added that the authorities would hand over the bodies to families once identification is confirmed.
Fire Service official Anwarul Islam had earlier said five bodies had been recovered so far. Another body was recovered late Saturday night.
“We cannot yet determine whether the bodies are male or female,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh on Saturday evening.
“The death toll may rise. We are still checking if anyone remains trapped inside.”
Outside the factory, uncertainty and fear gripped families.
Sabbir, 25, arrived at the gate searching for his mother, Monju Begum.
He said she had joined work at the factory earlier that day.
“My sister lives nearby, and someone from her house works here,” he said.
“My mother came in the morning, and then the fire broke out. I still have no information about her.”
Another man, Sagar Hossain, was looking for his sister, Shahinur Akter, who also worked at the factory.
“Her phone has been switched off since the fire,” he said.
“I have searched in many places, but I still cannot find her.”
Authorities said rescue efforts were continuing to ensure no one remained trapped inside, as investigations into the incident were under way.
A five-member investigation committee has been formed by the Fire Service regarding the fire incident in Kadamtali, Keraniganj. The committee, headed by the Director (Operations and Maintenance), has been instructed to submit its report within seven working days.
