PM orders removal of chemical establishments from Old Dhaka: Obaidul Quader

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered the removal of chemical establishments from Old Dhaka, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said.

She gave a directive to remove the chemical establishments from Chawkbazar at first, he told reporters on Saturday after visiting the scene of the chemical-fuelled fire that broke out on Wednesday night claiming at least 67 lives.

Obaidul Quader said, “Our first and foremost duty is to hand over the bodies of those killed in the fire to their families, arrange for proper treatment of those injured and find out those missing. To that effect, three investigation committees are now working.”

The Awami League general secretary hoped that the committees would be able to submit their reports within two to three days. All necessary measures would be taken as per recommendations of the committees.

Replying to a reporters’ query, he said Dhaka South City Corporation has already been asked to make a list of all chemical warehouses in Old Dhaka.

The Chawkbazar chemical-fuelled fire is the second largest in the country history, while the first is the one that took place in Nimtali in the same part of the capital claiming more than 100 lives.