Keraniganj Fire: Another victim dies; death toll now 20

Another victim, who was severely injured in December 11’s factory fire in Keraniganj, died at Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka today, raising the death toll to 20.

Sohan, 19, a worker of Prime Pet and Plastic Industry factory who suffered 50 per cent burns in the fire, died at the hospital around 12noon, said Dr Samanta Lal Sen, chief coordinator of the Burn Units across the country.

Four more victims are on life support at the hospital at present, Dr Samanta Lal said.  

A devastating fire engulfed Prime Pet and Plastic Industry factory in Keraniganj’s Chunkutia on December 11.

Firefighters recovered one charred body from the factory while 33 others were hospitalised. Eighteen of the injured subsequently died in hospital.

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.

Relatives of the fire victims demanded stern action against the factory owner for failing to ensure fire safety and a better work environment.