Deadly Garment Factory Fire in Bangladesh Has Taken no Fewer than 16 Victims
At least 16 persons have lost their lives after a enormous fire erupted at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with officials cautioning that the death toll could climb.
16 bodies have been found but were charred unrecognizable, the firefighters stated.
Distraught relatives gathered outside the four-level factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on that day in seeking their loved ones still not found.
The blaze, which started at the factory around midday, was extinguished after multiple hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse remained ablaze, authorities reported.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, news sources reported.
Emergency responders have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, synthetic polymers and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Polymer products also emits poisonous gases when combusted.
Police and military officers are still trying to locate the operators 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 noted.
Weeping family members gathered outside the charred buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their missing relatives.
Among them is a man looking frantically for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I was informed of the fire, I came running. But I still haven't found her... I just want my loved one back," he told news media.
The tragic incident has another time highlighted the safety concerns plaguing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which employs numerous of workers and is a major source of economic income for the nation.
