In the aftermath of a devastating industrial fire in Keraniganj on the outskirts of Dhaka, a grieving mother’s desperate plea has captured the anguish of families still searching for their loved ones. “I want my son back,” cried Kulsum Begum repeatedly, her voice breaking as she stood outside the charred remains of a gaslighter factory.
Her 17-year-old son, Naeem, had been working at the Akram Gaslighter Factory, located in the Kadamtoli Dipjol Goli area of Aganagar Union in South Keraniganj. According to his mother, Naeem left home at around 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, as he had done every working day since joining the factory three months ago. By early afternoon, however, the factory was engulfed in flames, and he has not been seen since.
Kulsum Begum, who lives in the Golamabazar area, said she rushed to the site upon hearing about the fire. “He left for work this morning. Since the fire broke out, there has been no trace of him,” she said tearfully, clutching onto hope amid chaos.
Her sorrow was echoed by another anxious parent, Kawsar Sardar, whose 12-year-old daughter, Monira, also worked at the same factory. “She has been working there for nearly a year,” he said. “She went to work this morning as usual. When I heard about the fire, I came immediately, but I cannot find her anywhere.”
Local residents estimated that between 35 and 40 workers were employed at the factory, though authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of people unaccounted for.
Incident Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Kadamtoli Dipjol Goli, South Keraniganj |
| Factory Type | Gaslighter manufacturing unit |
| Estimated Workers | 35–40 |
| Confirmed Deaths | 5 bodies recovered |
| Missing Persons | Several workers unaccounted for |
| Fire Response | 7 fire service units |
According to law enforcement officials, five charred bodies have so far been recovered from the wreckage. Deputy Superintendent of Police Jahangir Alam stated that identification of the deceased has not yet been possible, and search operations for missing workers are ongoing.
Fire Service officials reported that seven units battled the blaze for approximately one and a half hours before bringing it under control around 2:30 p.m. The intensity of the fire made rescue efforts extremely difficult, with thick smoke and structural collapse hampering access to parts of the building.
Fire Service media officer Anwarul Islam (Dolon) confirmed that the recovery of bodies continued after the fire was extinguished. He added that the victims could not immediately be identified due to the severe burns sustained.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as smoke rapidly engulfed the factory. The building, constructed with a tin roof and surrounded by walls, reportedly housed several storage rooms containing highly flammable raw materials used in gaslighter production.
Local resident Ramiz Mia said the structure contained around eight storage units inside a confined compound. “The fire spread within moments,” he said.
Another resident, Kamrul Islam, alleged that the factory operated without proper authorisation. He also noted that this was not the first incident at the site, claiming a previous fire had occurred around two years ago, after which operations were temporarily halted before resuming.
As investigations continue and the search for missing workers intensifies, families remain stationed outside the burnt ruins, clinging to hope amid uncertainty and grief.