Tragic Apparel Factory Fire in Bangladesh Takes a Minimum of 16 Lives
No fewer than 16 people have lost their lives after a massive fire broke out at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with officials cautioning that the fatality count could increase.
Sixteen bodies have been found but were incinerated impossible to identify, the firefighters stated.
Grief-stricken relatives gathered outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in search of their dear ones still missing.
The inferno, which erupted at the factory around midday, was put out after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, authorities reported.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, media reports indicated.
Fire department authorities have not ascertained which of the two buildings was the origin point.
Per witnesses, the chemical warehouse contained industrial bleaches, plastic materials and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also releases hazardous smoke when burned.
Security personnel are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the department director told reporters.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also currently underway, he noted.
Crying family members gathered outside the burned buildings, many of them holding photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Present at the scene is a man looking frantically for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I was informed of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my daughter back," he told news media.
The devastating event has yet again emphasized the safety concerns plaguing Bangladesh's garment industry, which provides jobs for millions of workers and is a significant contributor to export earnings for the South Asian economy.
