Published

USA10 April, 20261 min read

Factory Owner Detained After Fire Kills At Least 28 Garment Workers in Narayanganj

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Factory Owner Detained After Fire Kills At Least 28 Garment Workers in Narayanganj
Image: tovima

Locked Exits

At least 28 garment workers burned to death inside the Rahman Textile factory after exits were welded shut. Police detained factory owner Faisal Rahman, with exits confirmed not usable. Death toll estimates diverged: government placed at 28, Dhaka Tribune at 33, Al Jazeera counted at least 41.

Fire service chief said victims were found near stairwells on the third and fourth floors. Witnesses told the BBC the factory's main exit was locked when the fire broke out.

Image from 20 Minutes
Image: 20 Minutes
Reporting for this sectionAl JazeeraBBC

Survivors and the Strike Call

Survivors described workers pounding on locked metal doors as smoke filled the stairwells. Nasrin Begum escaped by jumping from a second-floor window. The Bangladesh Garment Workers' Federation called a nationwide strike.

Rahman Textile had been cited for fire safety violations in 2024 but continued operating. Labour Minister pledged an immediate investigation. 47 people had been injured, including 12 in critical condition.

Image from Al Jazeera
Image: Al Jazeera
Reporting for this sectionAl JazeeraBBC

Supply Chain Under Scrutiny

Rahman Textile produced clothing for European fashion brands including Hessen and BrandBox. Both companies said they were deeply saddened and would review operations. Hessen's compliance team had audited the factory in March.

Rahman Textile owner claimed the factory had passed its most recent safety inspection in January. The audit system was fundamentally broken. Rahman was being questioned about exits welded shut to prevent worker theft.

Reporting for this sectionThe Guardian