Tragic Clothing Factory Blaze in Bangladesh Takes at Least 16 Fatalities
At least 16 persons have died after a massive fire erupted at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with authorities cautioning that the number of victims could rise.
16 bodies have been retrieved but were burned unrecognizable, the fire department reported.
Distraught relatives gathered outside the four-storey factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in looking for their dear ones still not found.
The blaze, which started at the factory around midday, was brought under control after multiple hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse kept burning, officials confirmed.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, news sources indicated.
Emergency responders have not established which of the two buildings was the origin point.
Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse housed bleaching powder, plastic and chemical peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Polymer products also emits toxic fumes when burned.
Police and military officers are still attempting to find the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury told reporters.
An investigation on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also currently underway, he added.
Crying family members stood outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them grasping photographs of their missing relatives.
Present at the scene is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I heard about the fire, I rushed here. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my daughter back," he expressed to reporters.
The tragic incident has once again emphasized the security issues affecting Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for numerous of workers and is a major contributor to foreign revenue for the South Asian economy.
