Death Toll From Gazipur Fire Rises To 17

Another victim of the gas cylinder fire in Gazipur's Kaliakair has succumbed to his injuries, bringing the death toll from the disaster to 17.

Quddus Khan, 45, died during treatment at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in the early hours of Saturday. He suffered burns on 80 percent of his body, according to Partha Shankar Pal, resident doctor at the burn institute.

It is reported that Quddus was a day labourer, who lived with his family near the Topstar Garments factory in Kaliakair. He leaves behind a son and a daughter. Dozens of people suffered severe burns in the horrific fire on Mar 13.

A defective cylinder, left in the alley and hastily covered with a wet sack, was the fire's origin. Ahead of Iftar, curious children and passersby gathered around, not knowing the danger that lurked. Then, a nearby stove ignited, transforming the alley into a fiery trap that ensnared everyone in its vicinity -- children, the elderly, and the young.

Among the victims, 32 were rushed to the national burn institute, with burns covering 50 to 90 percent of their bodies. Victims included garment factory and textile scrap warehouse workers, autorickshaw drivers, and their children.