Devastating Garment Factory Inferno in Bangladesh Has Taken at Least 16 Fatalities
A minimum of 16 persons have lost their lives after a massive fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities cautioning that the number of victims could climb.
Sixteen bodies have been retrieved but were incinerated beyond recognition, the fire service reported.
Grief-stricken relatives assembled outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in looking for their dear ones still missing.
The fire, which started at the factory around noon, was brought under control after several hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse kept burning, authorities said.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, news sources reported.
Fire service officials have not established which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse housed bleaching powder, plastic materials and chemical peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Plastic also emits poisonous gases when ignited.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still searching for the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director the fire service official informed the media.
An investigation on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also currently underway, he mentioned.
Tearful family members stood outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their missing relatives.
Present at the scene is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I learned of the fire, I came running. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my child back," he stated to journalists.
The tragic incident has once again highlighted the safety concerns affecting Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which employs countless of workers and is a significant contributor to economic income for the nation.
