A catastrophic fire which erupted at the Gazi Tyres factory in Rupganj, Narayanganj, Bangladesh, on Sunday, 25th August 2024, a worrying number of workers unaccounted for. The incident has highlighted significant safety concerns and has cast a sombre shadow over the local community, as rescue operations face critical delays.
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The blaze began at approximately 10:35 PM at the factory located in Rupshi, Rupganj upazila. The fire quickly engulfed the six-storey building, proving extremely difficult to contain. Ten firefighting units battled the flames, but it took over 32 hours to fully extinguish the fire, which was finally doused around 5:00 AM on Tuesday, 27th August. The scale of the fire, combined with the structure's complexity, made it a challenging task for the firefighters.
The aftermath of the fire has been marred by confusion and concern, particularly regarding the number of missing persons. While some reports suggest that up to 174 individuals may be presumed dead, the official count remains uncertain. Families of the missing have gathered outside the factory, desperately seeking information about their loved ones. However, the Fire Service and Civil Defence have clarified that they are not maintaining an official list of the missing, adding to the uncertainty and distress of the waiting families.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Factory officials have reported that before the fire broke out, hundreds of people allegedly stormed the building, engaging in vandalism and looting before setting fire to the ground floor. This claim has yet to be confirmed by authorities, but if true, it paints a troubling picture of the events leading up to the disaster.
The fire caused severe structural damage to the factory. Three floors of the six-storey building collapsed, leaving the entire structure highly unstable. Walls and plaster continue to fall, making the site extremely hazardous. These conditions have hindered the initiation of rescue operations, as the building's integrity is in question.
Despite the fire being extinguished, rescue operations have not yet begun. A technical team from the Fire Service and Civil Defence has inspected the site but has not entered the building due to safety concerns. Drones were deployed to search for any victims inside, but none were found during the initial sweep.
Authorities are now facing significant challenges in deciding how to proceed with the rescue operations. The building's instability poses a grave risk to rescuers, and local fire services may require assistance from experts and advanced equipment from the capital, Dhaka. A decision on the next steps was expected to be made by officials the day after the inspection.
An eight-member probe committee has been formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire. As the investigation proceeds, the situation remains tense, with families anxiously waiting outside the factory, hoping for any news of their missing relatives.
This tragic event has not only devastated the community but also raised critical questions about workplace safety and emergency preparedness in Bangladesh's industrial sector. The delay in rescue operations, compounded by the structural risks of the building, underscores the urgent need for stricter safety protocols and better emergency response measures in the country.
As the investigation unfolds and rescue operations hopefully begin, the full impact of this disaster will become clearer. For now, the community of Rupganj waits in anguish, hoping for the best but fearing the worst.
