At least 82 people, mostly women workers, were killed and many suffered burn injuries in a fire that devastated a textile mill in Bangladesh's southeastern port city of Chittagong, police and witnesses said.

The army, police and fire brigade personnel joined rescue work and recovered charred bodies from the debris.

The fire, originated from unknown sources at 1920 hours Thursday, completely engulfed the four-storey composite textile mill in Kalurghat industrial area.

After more than 11 hours of frantic effort, fire brigade personnel contained the blaze early Friday.

Police and hospital sources said about 100 people were admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital with severe burn injuries.

Rescuers continued the salvage operation fearing that the death toll might increase.