At least 16 people were killed in a devastating fire that broke out at a chemical warehouse and garment factory in the Shialbari area of Mirpur, Dhaka. 

Police say seven of the victims have been visually identified by their families and may be handed over following autopsy and DNA sample collection.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday (October 15), Mokhlesur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) of Rupnagar Police Station, confirmed that family members of seven victims have come forward to claim the bodies. 

“We have received claims for seven bodies so far, and more people are arriving to identify others,” he said.

He added that forensic procedures are underway: “DNA samples are being collected from both the bodies and the relatives. Once confirmed, the identified bodies will be released to the families.”

All post-mortem examinations and inquest reports were completed overnight. Once the DNA profiling is concluded, the handover process will begin, said the police.

The fire broke out on Tuesday (October 14) at around 11:30 am, engulfing a chemical storage facility and a nearby garment factory. In addition to the 16 fatalities, three others reportedly suffered from smoke inhalation.

SMS/