A tragic incident occurred at the Gazi Tire Factory in Rupganj, Narayanganj, where a massive fire broke out. As of now, 160 people are reported missing. The fire started in the factory, and 12 units of the Fire Service and Civil Defense are currently working to control it. They have compiled a list of 160 missing individuals as of the time this report was written.
The fire began around 9 PM on Sunday. According to Saiful Islam, the assistant general manager of the factory, hundreds of people, including those of various ages, entered the factory and began looting before the fire started. The factory contained raw materials for tire production, including sulfuric acid. At some point, the attackers set fire to the ground floor, which quickly spread throughout the building.
Upon receiving the news, fire service units from Demra, Adamjee EPZ, Araihazar, Narsingdi, Kanchan, Haziganj, and Siddiqbazar in Dhaka rushed to the scene. They began rescuing workers trapped inside and working to control the fire. Military, RAB, police, and local government officials also arrived at the site. The Fire Service reported that 14 people were rescued from the building during the night.
Meanwhile, family members of the missing individuals have gathered outside the factory, anxiously searching for their loved ones. Their tears and grief have created a heavy atmosphere around the factory.
Lieutenant Colonel Rezaul Karim, the Director of the Fire Service and Civil Defense (Dhaka), stated that a list of missing persons is being compiled based on the claims of their relatives. This is a preliminary list, which will later be handed over to the police for further investigation to provide a final update on the situation.
As of 2 PM today, no deaths have been reported, according to Rezaul Karim. He also mentioned that flames could still be seen on one of the six floors of the factory at around 2 PM. Since the fire has not yet been fully controlled, it has been impossible to enter the building, so it is still uncertain if anyone inside has been burned to death.