Lt Col Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director (operations and maintenance) of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, said nine bodies have been recovered so far.
“The search operation is still going on,” he added.
Tajul Islam said they suspect the victims may have died after inhaling toxic gas following a chemical explosion. “The exact cause will be known after investigation,” he added.
As the fire at the chemical godown is yet to be brought under control, the area remains extremely risky and no one is being allowed near the factory, he said, urging everyone to stay at least 300 yards away from the fire site.
The fire broke out around 11:40 am and quickly spread through the building, said Talha Bin Jashim, an official of the Fire Service and Civil Defence media cell.
On information, seven firefighting units rushed to the spot and were working to bring the blaze under control, reports UNB.