Tragic Apparel Factory Fire in Bangladesh Has Taken no Fewer than 16 Victims
No fewer than 16 individuals have perished after a massive fire started at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities warning that the death toll could increase.
16 bodies have been found but were burned unrecognizable, the fire service said.
Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on that day in search of their dear ones still unaccounted for.
The fire, which erupted at the factory around noon, was brought under control after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse remained ablaze, emergency services said.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, journalistic accounts reported.
Fire service officials have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on witnesses, the chemical warehouse stored chemical bleaching agents, synthetic polymers and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also releases toxic fumes when burned.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still trying to locate the owners of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the fire service official briefed the media.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also in progress, he added.
Weeping family members gathered outside the burned buildings, many of them grasping photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Among them is a man looking frantically for his daughter, his family member.
"When I heard about the fire, I rushed here. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my child back," he expressed to news media.
The devastating event has once again highlighted the security issues affecting Bangladesh's garment industry, which employs countless of workers and is a significant provider of economic income for the South Asian economy.
