Tragic Clothing Factory Inferno in Bangladesh Takes no Fewer than 16 Lives
At least 16 individuals have died after a enormous fire broke out at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with officials warning that the fatality count could increase.
16 bodies have been found but were incinerated beyond recognition, the firefighters stated.
Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in looking for their loved ones still not found.
The fire, which started at the factory around midday, was brought under control after several hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse remained ablaze, authorities reported.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, media reports indicated.
Fire service officials have not established which of the two buildings caught fire first.
Per eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse contained industrial bleaches, plastic materials and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Polymer products also emits hazardous smoke when combusted.
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 journalists.
An probe on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also currently underway, he mentioned.
Tearful family members waited outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their lost relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man looking frantically for his daughter, his family member.
"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 loved one back," he expressed to journalists.
The devastating event has another time highlighted the hazardous conditions facing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which engages countless of workers and is a major source of economic income for the country.
