Keraniganj Factory Fire: 19yr old victim succumbs to injuries; death toll now 22
Another victim, who suffered burn injuries in the December 11 fire at a Keraniganj plastic factory, died yesterday morning -- raising the death toll to 22.
Sahezul Islam Shaju (19) succumbed to burn injuries at the Intensive Care Unit of Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka around 8:15am, Dr Samanta Lal Sen, coordinator of the institute, told The Daily Star.
Shaju had been undergoing treatment at the institute with 70 percent burns since the fire incident occurred at the Prime Pet and Plastic Industries factory in Chunkutia of Keringanj, he added.
Two more injured are on life support at the institute while eight are in critical condition at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
A devastating fire engulfed the factory on December 11. Firefighters recovered one charred body from the factory and rescued 33 who were hospitalised.
Later, 21 more succumbed to their injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute.
The factory had been operating without permission for years. It had a single gate for entry and exit and no emergency exits whatsoever, said survivors and fire officials.
Locals alleged that the authorities concerned turned a blind eye to the lack of safety measures at the factory even though it had been producing disposable plastic cups and plates for around 10 years.
Keraniganj upazila administration sealed it off on December 13. Relatives of the victims demanded stern action against the factory owner.
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