Tragic Apparel Factory Blaze in the South Asian nation Claims at Least 16 Lives
At least 16 people have perished after a enormous fire broke out at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities cautioning that the number of victims could increase.
Sixteen bodies have been retrieved but were burned unrecognizable, the fire department stated.
Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on that day in seeking their family members still unaccounted for.
The blaze, which erupted at the factory around midday, was put out after multiple hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse kept burning, officials reported.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, news sources said.
Fire department authorities have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse contained bleaching powder, plastic materials and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Plastic also produces poisonous gases when ignited.
Security personnel are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury briefed journalists.
An probe on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also in progress, he noted.
Weeping family members gathered outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his family member.
"When I heard about the fire, I rushed here. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my loved one back," he stated to journalists.
The devastating event has another time underscored the security issues facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for countless of workers and is a major source of foreign revenue for the country.