Deadly Apparel Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Claims at Least 16 Fatalities
A minimum of 16 individuals have perished after a massive fire started at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with officials stating that the fatality count could rise.
A total of sixteen bodies have been retrieved but were charred unrecognizable, the firefighters said.
Distraught relatives gathered outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in looking for their dear ones still not found.
The fire, which erupted at the factory around lunchtime, was brought under control after several hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, authorities said.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, news sources reported.
Emergency responders have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse stored industrial bleaches, plastic and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Synthetic materials also produces hazardous smoke when ignited.
Police and military officers are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury told journalists.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also ongoing, he added.
Tearful family members stood outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their missing relatives.
Present at the scene is a man looking frantically for his daughter, his family member.
"When I learned of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still haven't found her... I just want my daughter back," he stated to reporters.
The tragic incident has once again emphasized the safety concerns facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for countless of workers and is a significant contributor to foreign revenue for the country.
