A fire at a container depot in the coastal city of Chittagong has killed at least 34 people and injured more than 300, according to Bangladeshi officials.
According to Bangladeshi media, a fire broke out in the BM Inland container depot at midnight on Saturday when a container full of chemicals exploded.
BM Inland Container Depot is a joint venture between Bangladesh and the Netherlands. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
At least five firefighters were among those killed, according to Brigadier General Moinuddin, director general of the Fire Service and Defense.
He added that another 15 burned firefighters were being treated. “Several explosions followed the first blast at the depot, which caused a fire.”
Experts from the Bangladesh Army have been called in to assist firefighters.
According to officials and media reports, the blasts shattered the windows of nearby buildings and the sound of explosions could be heard up to four kilometers away.
Firefighters are still trying to contain the blaze on Sunday. The death toll is expected to rise, according to the local hospital.
There is a history of accidents in industries, including factory fires in Bangladesh.
The watchdogs have blamed corruption and lawlessness for the accidents.
Global brands that employ millions of people in Bangladesh for low wages have come under fire for failing to improve the condition of factories.
Bangladesh’s garment industry employs about 4 million workers. The industry has undergone major security reforms, but experts say such accidents could happen if other sectors do not make such changes.
In 2012, a fire at a garment factory in Dhaka killed 117 people.
This was followed by a tragic event in the history of Bangladesh in 2013 when more than 1,100 people were killed when the Rana Plaza Garment Factory collapsed.