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Death toll of fire at container warehouse in Bangladesh grows to 15

About 170 were injured

MOSCOW, June 5. /TASS/. At least 15 people died and about 170 people were injured in a fire that broke out at a private container warehouse in southeast Bangladesh Saturday, local police head announced Sunday. Previously, five killed and 100 injured were reported.

"Currently, 15 people died. About 170 were injured, including at least 40 firefighters and 10 police officers. Three firefighters died," the police chief said, according to AFP, adding that the injured were hospitalized.

Containers including chemicals, among other things, were stored at the warehouse that employed about 600 people. It is located about 40 kilometers away from Chittagong, a regional center. According to the local fire service head, the fire broke out at about 00:00 local time. A powerful explosion occurred during firefighting. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

According to Chittagong District authorities, the warehouse also contained millions of dollars’ worth of clothes ready for export to Western retailers. By Sunday morning, the fire has largely been taken under control.