Tragic Garment Factory Fire in Bangladesh Has Taken a Minimum of 16 Fatalities
No fewer than 16 persons have lost their lives after a enormous fire broke out at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities warning that the number of victims could increase.
Sixteen bodies have been recovered but were incinerated beyond recognition, the firefighters reported.
Heartbroken relatives assembled outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in looking for their dear ones still missing.
The fire, which started at the factory around noon, was put out after several hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse continued to burn, emergency services said.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, media reports said.
Fire service officials have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on witnesses, the chemical warehouse stored industrial bleaches, plastic materials and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Synthetic materials also emits toxic fumes when burned.
Security personnel are still trying to locate the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the fire service official briefed reporters.
An investigation on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also currently underway, he mentioned.
Weeping family members stood outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their missing relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man searching desperately for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I heard about the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still haven't found her... I just want my loved one back," he stated to reporters.
The catastrophic occurrence has another time emphasized the security issues facing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which engages countless of workers and is a significant contributor to export earnings for the country.
