Dhaka, Death toll from factory explosion rises to 31

At the time of the explosion, more than 100 people were in the structure. At least 10 are still missing. Tampaco Foils packaged goods. Reported eight people, including the owner reported to police.

 

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – The death toll from the violent explosion in a packaging factory in the industrial complex of Tongi, Gazipur (about 20 km from Dhaka), Saturday morning worsens by the hour. The blast was followed by a fire and collapse of the structure.  This morning firefighters have recovered two bodies, bringing the death toll to 31.

Prodip Rozario, a Catholic who worked in the factory for 22 years, tells AsiaNews about the time of the explosion: "I heard a huge roar and then one side of the building collapsed. Luckily I am alive and well. "

The incident occurred at Tampaco Foils Ltd, a packaging factory. According to witnesses, at the time of the explosion there were about 100 people in the building. Of these, 10 are still missing and more than 60 were injured. The blast caused a fire which spread at great speed and then brought70% of the three story building down.

After two days, the origin of the explosion is still unclear. It is believed that the blast originated in the boiler room, but then government officials have stated that the boilers are not damaged and that the blast was caused by a gas leak.

The fire was extinguished after 36 hours, but the fire department still cannot get into what's left of the building.

Meanwhile, this morning the father of a dead worker has registered the case against eight persons, including the owner Syed Mokbul Hossain Mia Lechu. The government then established initial compensation: the victims' families will receive 200 thousand taka [approximately 2,300 Euros, and], injured 100 thousand taka [1,135 euro, ed.]

The blame now is being laid on building security in the country. In the past two accidents of buildings occurred  in Bangladesh due to poor construction and building speculation that surrounds the industry. The most famous one Involved the collapse of Rana Plaza in April of 2013, which killed 1,100 workers.

• Bangladesh Dhaka Tongi Gazipur factory Tampaco explosion fire collapse