Devastating Apparel Factory Fire in Bangladesh Takes no Fewer than 16 Victims
No fewer than 16 individuals have died after a huge fire erupted at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services stating that the fatality count could rise.
16 bodies have been recovered but were incinerated beyond recognition, the fire department stated.
Distraught relatives assembled outside the four-level factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on that day in looking for their dear ones still not found.
The blaze, which started at the factory around midday, was extinguished after multiple hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse remained ablaze, emergency services confirmed.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, news sources indicated.
Emergency responders have not determined which of the two buildings caught fire first.
Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse housed bleaching powder, synthetic polymers and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Synthetic materials also emits toxic fumes when ignited.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still attempting to find the owners of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the department director told journalists.
An probe on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also ongoing, he added.
Weeping family members stood outside the charred buildings, many of them holding photographs of their lost relatives.
Present at the scene 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 haven't found her... I just want my child back," he stated to reporters.
The devastating event has once again emphasized the safety concerns plaguing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which engages numerous of workers and is a crucial source of economic income for the country.
