Bangladesh factory fire kills at least 52 people

[Still Waters]

A fire engulfed a food and drink factory in Bangladesh killing at least 52 people, many of whom were trapped inside by an illegally locked door, according to fire officials.

The blaze began on Thursday night at the five-storey Hashem Foods factory in Rupganj, just outside Dhaka, sending huge clouds of black smoke billowing into the sky. Police initially gave a toll of three dead, but on Friday afternoon discovered piles of bodies after the fire was extinguished.

So far 52 bodies have been recovered, but the factory’s top two floors are yet to be searched, said Debasish Bardhan, the deputy director of the fire service and civil defence.

He said the factory’s main exit was locked from the inside and many of those who died were trapped.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/09/bangladesh-factory-fire-kills-people-dhaka

[Still Waters]

Bangladesh police arrest factory owner after dozens die in fire

Bangladeshi police have arrested the owner of a factory where at least 52 people died in an inferno, as it emerged that children as young as 11 had been working there.

Police said the owner of the food factory and four of his sons were among eight people detained over the fire that broke out on Thursday and raged for more than a day. The blaze began in the evening at the five-storey Hashem Foods factory in Rupganj, just outside Dhaka.

A separate inquiry has been launched into the use of child labour at the facility.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/10/bangladesh-police-arrest-factory-owner-after-dozens-die-in-fire