Bangladesh: 112 dead in Dhaka garment factory fire

APA woman cries as she claims the body of her relative in Ashulia, outsideDhaka, on Sunday.APBangladeshi people and firefighters battle a fire at a garment factory in the Savar neighbourhood in Dhaka, late on Saturday. Photo: APTOPICSWorldBangladesh
disaster and accidentfire
At least 109 people were killed and scores injured in a fire — believed to be the most devastating in the country’s industrial history — that gutted a garment factory in Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, on Saturday night.

The fire that started at Tazreen Fashion near Dhaka Export Processing Zone in Ashulia on Saturday evening came under control only by Sunday morning.

A total of 109 bodies had been recovered till Sunday evening from the eight-storey building. Rescuers believe many more may have been burnt to death. Around 300 workers were reportedly inside the building at the time of the fire.

Most of the bodies were badly burnt and hard to identify. Authorities said the bodies would be handed over to families after proper identification.

Bangladesh Army joined the fire brigade, police and local people in the rescue operation. Fire Brigade officials said it could have originated from an electrical short-circuit but proper investigation was needed. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has announced compensation of Tk. one lakh (Rs.68, 150) each to victims’ families. The district administration has announced to provide Tk. 20,000 (Rs.13, 630) to the families of the deceased as funeral costs.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia have expressed shock and mourned the deaths.

Keywords: garment factory, Bangladesh, fire accident, Tazreen Fashions

RELATED NEWSSlum fire kills 11 in Bangladesh More In: International | News Comments(7)RecommendedPost a comment

Why are they mixing the garment factory fire incident which killed 124 with the
freeway collapse incident which killed 13?

Looks like someone is trying to protect multinational brands that had contracted
with the factory.

from:  Arvind Posted on: Nov 25, 2012 at 16:38 IST

@lanjha: The primary reason for manufacturing of garments moving primarily to
South East Asian nations is because our governments hardly have any regulations.
And even if there were any, we know how well they are enforced. This spells
increased profits for those major corporations. Sadly, we need the jobs too. I hope
this incident sparks the conscience of the right people in the chain of command.

from:  Vikram Posted on: Nov 25, 2012 at 13:57 IST

What a cruel fate awaited the workers of this garment factory? Were there no basic fire prevention equipment or drills? Human lives have these days become cheap, and the loss of lives just statistics?

from:  D. Chandramouli Posted on: Nov 25, 2012 at 13:48 IST

This fire sounds terrible alike the Ali Enterprises' factory in Karachi, Pakistan. Which
killed 315 people and seriously injured more than 250.

The sad part is, most of these factory workers have no recourse. Perhaps it's time --
for us in the West-- to make it our business and find out where the garments 'we
buy' are made!! If these factories were up the same standard as demanded in the
West, articles like this would be none-excitant. Sadly, these factory owners /
companies are all too quick to pay compensation to the victims and their families,
but upgrading the factories is not on their agenda. Life is all too precious and can
not be measured in monetary terms.

from:  swedane Posted on: Nov 25, 2012 at 13:45 IST

So unfortunate, I remember there was a similar tragic incident took place in a factory in Karachi recently, is there any similarity or relation in these two incidents ? are these real accidents or happened under a pre-planned conspiracy, thorough investigation is must and heirs of the dead should be handsomely compensated and injured should get well treatment and compensation as well. The responsible persons/parties should be punished.

from:  Sultan Posted on: Nov 25, 2012 at 12:45 IST

Very much unfortunate. It is a sad news that many lost their lives and their dependents are on the roads. Many are homeless. At the same time our Government must be cautious that they do not enter in to our territory and create more burden/problems to us. Poverty leads to active partnership in terrorism

from:  r.v.ramani Posted on: Nov 25, 2012 at 11:49 IST

Very sad. God bless the dead souls.
Looks like we Pak, India, Bangladesh etc. are 100 years behind the
developed world - 100 years since Triangle factory fire in NY.
Owners who were making money at the expense of the safety of the workers
must be punished to the fullest extent.

from:  lanjha Posted on: Nov 25, 2012 at 11:20 IST Show all commentsThis article is closed for comments.
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