As many as 175 people are reported missing following a fire at the Gazi Tyre factory in Rupganj, Narayanganj.
However, factory authorities claim that none of the missing individuals are factory workers, suggesting they may have come to the factory for looting or other illicit activities.
Talha bin Jasim, the media cell officer at the Fire Service headquarters, confirmed the information.
"We still do not know whether there are any people trapped inside. The fire is still raging in various parts of the building, and we haven't been able to enter yet," he said.
As of Monday afternoon, relatives of the missing gathered in front of the factory, which was engulfed in flames. In response, the fire service began compiling a list of the missing persons. By 3:30pm, 175 individuals had been reported missing.
Lieutenant Colonel Rezaul Karim, Director of Dhaka Fire Service and Civil Defence, told Prothom Alo that the preliminary list of missing persons is being created based on claims from relatives. The list will be handed over to the police, who will investigate and provide final information. No deaths have been reported in connection with the fire as of 2pm on Monday.
Rezaul Karim mentioned that the fire, which was first spotted around 2pm in a six-storey building of the factory, remains uncontrolled, preventing entry into the building. Once the fire is extinguished, authorities will assess whether there are any fatalities. Currently, 12 units of the fire service are working to control the blaze.
Meanwhile, distressed relatives continue to gather in front of the factory, desperately seeking information about their missing loved ones.
One relative of a victim, a housewife named Ruby, was seen lamenting with her two-year-old son Adnan in front of the factory.
She said her husband, Md Sajib, 26, has been missing since 9pm on Sunday. Sajib, a mason by profession and the son of Shahid Mia from Murapara Ganganagar area, reportedly went to the factory after hearing rumours of looting.
"The last time we spoke was at 9pm. He was at the factory then, but I haven't been able to reach him since," Ruby said tearfully.
Rupganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ahsan Mahmud said that the government would take action regarding the arson and looting. He assured that steps are being taken to prevent further incidents of looting.
