Tragic Garment Factory Blaze in Bangladesh Takes a Minimum of 16 Victims
At least 16 individuals have died after a huge fire started at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities cautioning that the number of victims could rise.
16 bodies have been found but were burned unrecognizable, the fire service said.
Grief-stricken relatives converged outside the multi-story factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on that day in seeking their family members still not found.
The blaze, which broke out at the factory around midday, was brought under control after three hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse kept burning, officials said.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, news sources indicated.
Fire department authorities have not determined which of the two buildings was the origin point.
Per eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse contained chemical bleaching agents, plastic and industrial peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Polymer products also emits hazardous smoke when combusted.
Security personnel are still trying to locate the owners of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director the department director told reporters.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also ongoing, he noted.
Tearful family members gathered outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Included in the crowd 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 have been unable to find her... I just want my daughter back," he expressed to news media.
The tragic incident has another time emphasized the safety concerns plaguing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which employs numerous of workers and is a significant source of export earnings for the nation.