Five of the eight people killed in the Ashulia explosion on September 20 remain unidentified, as their charred bodies were recovered from a burned-out covered van.

Harun-or-Rashid, an inspector of Ashulia Police Station and the investigation officer in the case, confirmed the matter to Daily Waadaa.

He said DNA samples collected from the five bodies, along with samples from members of five families who reported their relatives missing, were sent to the Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) forensic department on September 21 for identification.

"It cannot be said how long it will take to get the DNA test results. However, we will request the CID forensic department to provide the report as soon as possible," the inspector said.

Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Hafizur Rahman and Ashulia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Tariqul Islam confirmed to Daily Waadaa late that night that the death toll had risen to eight.

The explosions occurred at around 6:50pm on September 20 near the Jamgora intersection, according to police and Fire Service officials.

Firefighters recovered five charred bodies from the burned-out covered van after extinguishing the blaze. The identities of the victims could not immediately be established because of the extent of the burns.

Nazrul Islam, died at the burn institute of Dhaka Medical College Hospital after being taken there with severe burns.

55-year-old Zainab Begum, was killed at a tailoring shop near the factory when a cylinder or debris from the explosion struck her in the head.

Zainab, wife of Mohammad Ali of Ichharkandi in Kashimpur, Gazipur, had been visiting her daughter, who runs the shop.

"Before I could understand what was happening, I saw my mother collapse to the ground," her daughter. "Then I saw the fire in front of the factory."

Zainab's daughter Sanjida Akhter said a cylinder flew towards the shop and struck her mother. Her son was also injured.

Police and witnesses said most workers had left the factory after their shift ended at around 5pm.

Somen Barua, warehouse inspector at the DEPZ Fire Service, said the fire broke out while gas cylinders brought for use at the factory were being unloaded from a covered van.

The fire spread to at least five nearby vehicles, while the explosions shattered windows of the factory, he said.

Fire Service officials confirmed that LPG cylinders were being carried in the vehicle but said the precise cause of the initial fire had yet to be established.

Witness Suman Mia said local residents initially tried to put out the blaze with water but were forced to retreat because of the intensity of the fire and continuing explosions.