Devastating Apparel Factory Blaze in the South Asian nation Claims no Fewer than 16 Fatalities
No fewer than 16 individuals have lost their lives after a enormous fire erupted at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with authorities stating that the fatality count could increase.
A total of sixteen bodies have been retrieved but were burned unrecognizable, the fire department said.
Heartbroken relatives converged outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in search of their loved ones still unaccounted for.
The fire, which erupted at the factory around noon, was brought under control after several hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse kept burning, officials reported.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, news sources said.
Fire service officials have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse contained bleaching powder, plastic materials and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Polymer products also releases toxic fumes when ignited.
Police and military officers are still attempting to find the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the department director told reporters.
An investigation on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also ongoing, he noted.
Crying family members waited outside the charred buildings, many of them holding photographs of their lost relatives.
Present at the scene is a man looking frantically for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I heard about the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my child back," he stated to news media.
The tragic incident has once again emphasized the security issues plaguing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which engages millions of workers and is a major provider of foreign revenue for the country.
