Tragic Apparel Factory Blaze in Bangladesh Claims at Least 16 Lives
At least 16 people have died after a huge fire broke out at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with officials cautioning that the fatality count could increase.
16 bodies have been recovered but were charred beyond recognition, the fire department stated.
Grief-stricken relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in seeking their loved ones still not found.
The blaze, which started at the factory around midday, was brought under control after multiple hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse remained ablaze, officials reported.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, media reports reported.
Fire department authorities have not established which of the two buildings was the origin point.
Per eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse contained industrial bleaches, synthetic polymers and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Polymer products also emits toxic fumes 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 probe on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also currently underway, he added.
Weeping family members waited outside the charred buildings, many of them holding photographs of their missing relatives.
Present at the scene is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his family member.
"When I heard about the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my loved one back," he expressed to reporters.
The devastating event has yet again underscored the hazardous conditions plaguing Bangladesh's garment industry, which engages countless of workers and is a significant source of foreign revenue for the nation.
