A five-member committee was also formed following a directive of the prime minister to investigate the incident of fire.

The inquiry committee, headed by Commerce Ministry Additional Secretary Sirajul Islam, also include the deputy commissioner of Chittagong, commissioner of the Chittagong Metropolitan Police, a representative of the Chittagong Area General Office Commanding (GOC) of the Bangladesh Army, and a representative of the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

The directives came as the prime minister visited the KTS Composite Textiles Mills at Khalurghat industrial town, the scene of Thursday's deadly fire, and the injured victims of the blaze at Chittagong Medical College Hospital yesterday.

Leaders of the BGMEA were present as she directed all concerned to ensure safety measures with particular reference to garments and textile factories.

The prime minister also inquired about the rescue operations and expressed her satisfaction over the steps taken so far to rescue the trapped factory workers and the treatment of the injured survivors.

Earlier, she flew in here by an air force helicopter to be received and briefed about the accident and subsequent rescue measures by the GOC of the Chittagong-based 24 infantry division of the Bangladesh Army, Maj Gen Sinha Ibne Jamali.

Senior officials representing the services operating rescue operations including the fire brigade, police, army and the district administration were present during the premier's visit.

Health Minister Dr Khondaker Mosharraf Hossain, Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan, Food and Disaster Management Minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yousuf, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdullah Al Noman, Prime Minister's Parliamentary Affairs Adviser SQ Chowdhury, her political secretary Haris Chowdhury, Amir Khosru Mahmud MP, whip Syed Wahidul Alam and Khwaza Ahsanullah MP, accompanied the prime minister.