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slum on Road-12 of Rupnagar residential area, only 300 yards away from work.

Her mother, Yasmin Begum, told The Daily Star that the couple, who got married three months ago, had come to Dhaka to build a better future.

“Joy used to work at a garment factory in Gazipur before her marriage. They then joined the same factory [Arian Fashion] -- Joy as an operator and Alo as a helper on the same floor.

“We can see the factory from our home,” Yasmin said, adding, “There was a loud bang, and then we heard people shouting that the factory caught fire.”

At the scene, Sultan was standing with a photograph of his daughter and son-in-law. “I called her when I heard about the fire.”

“She picked up and said they were trapped. I told her to find a way out, like everyone else.”

Firefighters recovered 16 bodies from the site. The fire service said DNA tests will be required to identify the victims as the bodies have been badly burnt.

Joy’s mother, Sheuly Begum, who arrived at the site in tears, said, “My son took this job hoping for a better life. Now I can’t find my son or his wife.”

Another worker, Munni Akhter, who lived next door to Alo and worked on the same floor, was also missing. Her husband, Naim, was seen running frantically from one end of the street to another, searching for her.

Munni’s mother-in-law, Tahera Begum, said, “She left for work after breakfast. Later, we heard about the fire.”

Munni had married Naim only six months ago.

“Naim works at a sweet shop, but his income wasn’t enough. So, Munni started working at the factory for Tk 7,500 a month. She even managed to send money home.”

Grieving relatives crowded the entrance of the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, some clutching photos.

Among them was Parvin Begum, holding a photo of her niece Asma Akhter.

Asma came to Dhaka from her village three months ago to live with her aunt. Her parents sent her to the city hoping she could help support their family of eight. Asma worked as a helper on the third floor of the RMG unit.

“She was supposed to come home for lunch but never did,” Parvin said. “When we heard about the fire, we ran to the factory but couldn’t find her.”

Dhaka Medical College Hospital said families of the missing victims would be called to provide DNA samples for identification once testing begins.