Devastating Apparel Factory Blaze in the South Asian nation Claims no Fewer than 16 Victims
A minimum of 16 individuals have died after a massive fire broke out at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services cautioning that the fatality count could climb.
Sixteen bodies have been retrieved but were incinerated unrecognizable, the firefighters reported.
Heartbroken relatives assembled outside the four-storey factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in search of their dear ones still missing.
The blaze, which broke out at the factory around noon, was brought under control after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse continued to burn, emergency services reported.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, media reports reported.
Emergency responders have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.
According to eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse stored industrial bleaches, plastic materials and chemical peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Polymer products also releases toxic fumes when burned.
Police and military officers are still attempting to find the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury briefed reporters.
An probe on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also in progress, he added.
Tearful family members stood outside the burned buildings, many of them holding photographs of their lost relatives.
Among them is a man looking frantically for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I was informed of the fire, I came running. But I still haven't found her... I just want my child back," he expressed to reporters.
The tragic incident has another time underscored the security issues facing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which employs countless of workers and is a significant provider of export earnings for the country.
