Devastating Garment Factory Inferno in the South Asian nation Claims no Fewer than 16 Fatalities
A minimum of 16 individuals have died after a enormous fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with officials cautioning that the death toll could rise.
Sixteen bodies have been recovered but were incinerated beyond recognition, the firefighters said.
Grief-stricken relatives assembled outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in search of their loved ones still not found.
The blaze, which broke out at the factory around midday, was brought under control after several hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse kept burning, officials confirmed.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, media reports reported.
Emergency responders have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse stored chemical bleaching agents, synthetic polymers and industrial peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Synthetic materials also produces toxic fumes when combusted.
Security personnel are still attempting to find the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury told reporters.
An investigation on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also ongoing, he added.
Crying family members waited outside the burned buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their missing relatives.
Present at the scene is a man searching desperately 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 reporters.
The tragic incident has another time highlighted the safety concerns affecting Bangladesh's clothing sector, which employs millions of workers and is a crucial contributor to foreign revenue for the nation.
