Sixteen Killed in Garment Factory Fire in Dhaka

Addis Ababa, October 15, 2025 (FMC) – At least sixteen people have been killed after a fire broke out in a garment factory in Dhaka’s Mirpur district, according to Bangladeshi authorities.

The blaze erupted around midday and burned for nearly three hours before firefighters managed to bring it under control. However, a nearby chemical warehouse continued to emit smoke well into the evening.

Officials indicated that the warehouse contained bleaching powder, hydrogen peroxide, and plastic materials — substances that intensified the flames and released toxic fumes. Fire Service officials noted that several victims likely died instantly from inhaling poisonous gases.

Emergency workers and security forces are investigating the cause of the fire and working to determine whether the warehouse was operating legally. Authorities have also launched a search for the owners of the factory and the adjoining storage facility.

Relatives of workers gathered outside the burned structure, anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones as rescue teams searched the debris.

Bangladesh’s garment industry has faced recurring safety challenges over the years. In 2021, more than 50 people lost their lives in a similar industrial fire that was later linked to poor safety standards and inadequate emergency exits.