Tragic Garment Factory Inferno in the South Asian nation Takes a Minimum of 16 Fatalities
At least 16 people have perished after a massive fire broke out at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities stating that the fatality count could rise.
16 bodies have been retrieved but were charred beyond recognition, the firefighters said.
Heartbroken relatives converged outside the four-storey factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on that day in looking for their loved ones still not found.
The blaze, which erupted at the factory around midday, was put out after several hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse remained ablaze, emergency services confirmed.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, news sources said.
Emergency responders have not determined which of the two buildings was the origin point.
Per bystanders, the chemical warehouse contained bleaching powder, synthetic polymers and industrial peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Synthetic materials also releases poisonous gases when burned.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the fire service official briefed the media.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also currently underway, he noted.
Weeping family members stood outside the burned buildings, many of them holding photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Among them is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I was informed of the fire, I rushed here. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my daughter back," he stated to news media.
The devastating event has yet again highlighted the hazardous conditions facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which engages numerous of workers and is a major contributor to foreign revenue for the South Asian economy.