An expert team from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) has said due to the unsafe condition of the fire-damaged six-storey building of the Gazi Tyres factory in Rupganj, Narayanganj, rescue operations on the upper floors are not possible right now.
The building had been burning continuously for nearly three days, causing significant damage, Raquib Ahsan, a professor at Buet, said after inspecting the factory on Thursday (August 29) morning.
“The roofs of the third and fourth floors of the six-story building have collapsed onto the third floor. Iron rods have become exposed in various parts of the building. The upper part of the building sustained the most damage due to prolonged exposure to the fire.
“Additionally, the building contained a large amount of chemicals, which generated intense heat, making the structure highly unsafe at this moment."
Meanwhile, Fire Service Director Anwarul Haque said: "We have had a discussion with the investigation committee. We have checked various parts of the building using drones (with cameras) and ladders. However, we have not found any dead bodies so far. Additionally, the iron rods in various columns of the building are exposed. In this situation, it is not possible to carry out rescue operations on the upper floors of the building."
Following instructions from the Buet expert team, the fire service conducted a thorough search of the building's ground floor and basement in the morning but could not find any bodies or remains.
Though the number of people reported missing in the fire is over 130, rescue teams have been unable to recover any bodies in four days.
The fire broke out at the Gazi Tyres factory on Sunday night.
After a 21-hour struggle, the fire service brought the blaze under control at 7:05pm on Monday.
