Deadly Garment Factory Inferno in the South Asian nation Takes a Minimum of 16 Fatalities
No fewer than 16 persons have lost their lives after a massive fire broke out at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services stating that the death toll could climb.
16 bodies have been recovered but were charred unrecognizable, the fire department stated.
Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in seeking their loved ones still not found.
The blaze, which broke out at the factory around lunchtime, was brought under control after multiple hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse continued to burn, emergency services reported.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, news sources reported.
Fire service officials have not ascertained which of the two buildings was the origin point.
Based on eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse stored industrial bleaches, plastic materials and industrial peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also releases hazardous smoke when burned.
Police and military officers are still attempting to find the operators of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury told reporters.
An investigation on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also in progress, he noted.
Tearful family members waited outside the charred buildings, many of them grasping 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 rushed here. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my loved one back," he stated to news media.
The catastrophic occurrence has yet again highlighted the hazardous conditions plaguing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which engages countless of workers and is a crucial contributor to economic income for the nation.
