The official death toll in Bangladesh's worst ever fire accident at a garment factory at Ashulia at Savar around thirty kilometers away from Dhaka stands at 111. The Superintendent of Police of Savar Mr. Habibur Rahman told All India Radio correspondent in Dhaka that the bodies of fifty three persons had been identified and handed over to the relatives while 58 bodies still remain unidentified. Earlier, local fire service officials had reported that the number of dead in the fire accident was 124.

According to local eye witnesses, the fire broke out at the garment factory last night and quickly engulfed the ground and first floors of the multi-storey building. Sixteen fire tender units had to battle it out for more than five hours to bring the fire under control. Most of the people died as they were trapped in the ill fated building while some more died as they jumped off the building.

The government has constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the cause of the fire accident. Bangladesh President Zillur Rehman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia have expressed profound shock at the loss of lives. The Prime Minister has also announced a financial assistance of one lakh taka each for the next of kin of the victims. She also asked the concerned authorities to provide proper treatment to the injured.