Devastating Apparel Factory Fire in Bangladesh Takes no Fewer than 16 Lives
No fewer than 16 people have died after a huge fire erupted at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with authorities cautioning that the fatality count could rise.
16 bodies have been found but were charred unrecognizable, the fire service stated.
Heartbroken relatives converged outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in search of their dear ones still not found.
The fire, which started at the factory around lunchtime, was brought under control after three hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse continued to burn, officials confirmed.
Until 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 established which of the two buildings was the origin point.
Per witnesses, the chemical warehouse contained industrial bleaches, synthetic polymers and chemical peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Plastic also releases poisonous gases when burned.
Police and military officers are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury told journalists.
An probe on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also ongoing, he noted.
Crying family members gathered outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their lost relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I was informed of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my daughter back," he stated to reporters.
The tragic incident has another time highlighted the security issues affecting Bangladesh's clothing sector, which employs millions of workers and is a major source of economic income for the South Asian economy.
