Dhaka, Dec 15 – Five more victims of Keraniganj plastic factory fire succumbed to burn injuries yesterday. Among the five, four at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), and another one died at his home after release from the hospital on the day of the fire, raising the death toll to 17. Muktakim, 22, died around 6:30 am, Abdur Rajjak, 45, around 10:30 am, Abu Sayeed, 28, around 11:30 am and Sumon in the evening, while undergoing treatment, said DMCH burn unit Chief Coordinator Dr Shamanta Lal Sen. Durjoy died in his home in Keraniganj in the evening.
The trio was on life support at the institute since they suffered injuries in the deadly fire, Dr Samanta added.
“As many as 13 burn victims are still receiving treatment at DMCH and Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Among them, six are in life support, said Dr Sen. “The patients at DMCH are in better condition,” he added.
The previous deceased were identified as Mahbub Hossain, 26, Salauddin, 32, Bablu, 26, Abdul Khalek, 35, Rayhan Biswas, 16, Asad, 16, Imran, 18, Jinarul, 32, Md Alam, 35, Sujon, 19, Jahangir Matubbar, 55, Faisal, 29, Faruk, 32, and Mehedi, 20.
A devastating fire engulfed the Prime Pet and Plastic Industry factory in Chalkutia of Keraniganj around 4:30 pm on December 11, killing worker Mahbub on the spot and injuring at least 34 others.
Around 10 fire fighting units struggled for almost two hours to extinguish the fire that very day. Firefighters recovered the charred body of Mahbub from the factory and rescued the others who were hospitalised. Later, 13 more people succumbed to their injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and at Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute.
After primary investigation, the Fire Service and Civil Defence found the factory owner was negligent in addressing the fire hazard issues.
After visiting the other victims at the hospital, Health Minister Zahid Maleque told reporters that the fatal incident took place due to the owner’s negligence.
“The owner will have to pay compensation, and the government will ensure that,” he said.
The plastics factory had been operating without permission for years, according to the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments.
The fire-ravaged plastic factory in Keraniganj, with around 15,000 sqft floor space, had a single gate for entry and exit and no emergency exits whatsoever.
Locals alleged that the authorities concerned turned a blind eye to the lack of safety measures at the factory even though it had been producing disposable plastic cups and plates for around 10 years and had witnessed two other fire incidents this year alone.
Keraniganj Upazila administration on Friday sealed off the factory. – Staff Reporter
