Devastating Apparel Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Claims at Least 16 Lives
At least 16 individuals have perished after a enormous fire broke out at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services stating that the death toll could increase.
A total of sixteen bodies have been recovered but were incinerated unrecognizable, the fire department said.
Grief-stricken relatives converged outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in looking for their loved ones still unaccounted for.
The blaze, which broke out at the factory around midday, was brought under control after three hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse remained ablaze, emergency services said.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, news sources indicated.
Emergency responders have not established which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Per eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse housed bleaching powder, plastic materials and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Polymer products also produces hazardous smoke when combusted.
Police and military officers 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 functioning with proper authorization is also in progress, he mentioned.
Weeping family members gathered outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Present at the scene is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his family member.
"When I heard about the fire, I rushed here. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my loved one back," he expressed to news media.
The devastating event has once again underscored the security issues affecting Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which employs millions of workers and is a crucial provider of export earnings for the country.
