Death toll in boiler blast at Tongi factory rises to 24

The death toll in a huge fire at a packaging goods factory in Gazipur's Tongi has risen to 24.

The fire spread across the five-storey factory building of Tampaco Foils Ltd after a boiler exploded around 6am on Saturday.

Contradictory reports were coming in over the deaths as the bodies recovered from the site had been taken to the Tongi hospital, the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and a hospital at Dhaka's Uttara.

All the bodies were later sent to the DMCH morgue, when the hospital authorities confirmed the death toll was 24.    

At least 25 firefighting units rushed to the spot to put out the fire that has led to a partial collapse of the five storey building.

The flames were under control but yet to be doused.

Tongi Hospital's Resident Physician Md Parvez Mia said they had sent  17 bodies to the DMCH.

The victims were initially rushed to the Tongi Hospital, but those in critical conditions were sent to the DMCH and the Adhunik Medical College Hospital in Uttara.

Medical Officer Sabbir Ahmed of Adhunik Medical College Hospital said that two of the victims have been pronounced dead.

He said the bodies have been sent to the DMCH.

DMCH police outpost's Inspector Bachchu Miah said five of those brought in there, including a woman, have died while 19 others are being treated.

The fire service or the factory management is yet to comment on how the boiler exploded causing such a deadly fire.

The Gazipur district administration chief has visited the spot and a five-member probe body has been formed to start an investigation.

The fire service and the government's Factory Inspection Department have also launched separate probes.