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owner Md Akram Ullah Akram, 64; his son Ahnaf Akif Akram, 34; Iman Ullah; and around seven unidentified individuals.

During a visit to the site yesterday afternoon, firefighters were seen continuing rescue operations. Several factory workers and anxious relatives were still gathered at the scene in search of their missing loved ones.

Shipon Mal was looking for his nephew, Nirob Dhali, 17, who joined the factory just a day before the fire. He has been missing since the incident.

“We searched everywhere possible after the fire but could not find him. We also spoke to the authorities, but they were unable to provide any information about his whereabouts.”

Alo Rani Dey, a worker who survived the fire, said the factory once caught fire in 2024 but resumed operations shortly afterwards.

Of the six bodies recovered, three have been handed over to their families, according to sources at Sir Salimullah Medical College morgue.

One of the victims has been identified as Mim Akter, 16.

Two other bodies were handed over based on information provided by family members. DNA samples have also been collected to confirm their identities.

Sabbir, who received the body of his mother Manju Begum, said, “My mother had the keys to our house in her hand, and part of the clothing on her back was not burned. I recognised her from these.”

He added that the hospital authorities handed over the body based on his statement, but asked them to provide DNA samples for confirmation.

According to the case statement, the factory had been operating illegally in a densely populated area for the past eight to 10 years, employing around 50 to 60 workers, including women and children.

Law enforcement agencies conducted multiple drives in the past and shut down the factory. However, the accused resumed operations later.

Investigators also found that no fire safety measures were in place despite the use of highly flammable materials, the case statement added.

Rafiqul Islam, investigation officer of the case, told this newspaper that efforts were underway to arrest the other accused.