Tragic Clothing Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Has Taken no Fewer than 16 Fatalities
A minimum of 16 people have died after a huge fire erupted at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services stating that the fatality count could increase.
A total of sixteen bodies have been found but were burned unrecognizable, the fire department said.
Distraught relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in seeking their family members still not found.
The fire, which broke out at the factory around midday, was brought under control after several hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, 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, journalistic accounts indicated.
Fire department authorities have not established which of the two buildings was the origin point.
Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse stored industrial bleaches, synthetic polymers and industrial peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Polymer products also releases toxic fumes when combusted.
Security personnel are still attempting to find the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the fire service official told the media.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also currently underway, he mentioned.
Weeping family members gathered outside the charred buildings, many of them holding photographs of their missing relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his family member.
"When I heard about the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still haven't found her... I just want my child back," he stated to journalists.
The tragic incident has once again underscored the hazardous conditions affecting Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for numerous of workers and is a crucial contributor to foreign revenue for the country.