Rupganj, September 02 — Relatives of some missing persons have recovered skulls and bones from the remains of the Gazi Tires factory in Rupganj, which was set on fire by miscreants last month. The gruesome discovery was made on Sunday afternoon as family members searched the six-storey building, which had been declared unsafe by experts following the blaze.

After a public hearing held at the main gate of the factory, relatives protested by blocking the Dhaka-Sylhet highway, demanding a search for their missing loved ones. The protest was eventually dispersed by members of the army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), who convinced the crowd to return to the factory premises. However, when relatives were brought to the front of the damaged building, they were initially prevented from entering by the army and BGB personnel.

Determined to find their missing family members, some young men managed to bypass security and entered the unstable, burnt-out structure. They recovered several skulls and bones from different floors, which they then presented to the authorities. These remains were subsequently handed over to the police through the official investigation committee.

Rupganj Upazila Executive Officer Ahsan Mahmud Russell, a member of the investigation committee, stated that due to the building being declared dangerous by a team of experts from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) on August 29, conducting a full rescue operation inside the structure is currently not feasible. He mentioned that the inquiry committee is actively working to submit their findings within the allocated 10-day period.

"The bones and skulls recovered on Sunday have been sent to the forensic department for further examination," Russell added. "In the meantime, law enforcement personnel have been deployed at the factory site to maintain order and prevent any chaos."

The eight-member investigation committee from the district administration has documented 80 missing individuals during a public hearing. This figure comes after earlier confusion surrounding the exact number of missing persons. Initially, the Fire Service listed 174 missing individuals based on reports from relatives. However, the list was later revised to 129 names following further verification.

The Gazi Tires factory, located in Rupsi, Rupganj, was set ablaze around 10:30 p.m. on August 25 by unknown assailants during a robbery attempt. The fire, which raged for 21 hours before being brought under control, left a trail of destruction and chaos. During the rescue operations, 14 individuals were pulled out alive from the burning building.

As the investigation continues, families of the missing are anxiously awaiting news and justice for their loved ones. The tragic incident has highlighted concerns over factory safety and the need for stronger measures to protect workers and prevent similar incidents in the future. The investigation committee’s final report, expected soon, will likely shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the fire and the subsequent handling of the rescue efforts.