Tragic Apparel Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Has Taken no Fewer than 16 Lives
At least 16 persons have perished after a huge fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities warning that the number of victims could rise.
16 bodies have been retrieved but were charred impossible to identify, the fire service reported.
Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the four-level factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on that day in search of their family members still unaccounted for.
The fire, which erupted at the factory around noon, was put out after multiple hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse kept burning, emergency services confirmed.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, news sources indicated.
Fire department authorities have not determined which of the two buildings was the origin point.
Based on witnesses, the chemical warehouse contained industrial bleaches, plastic and industrial peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Plastic also produces poisonous gases when ignited.
Police and military officers are still attempting to find the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the fire service official informed reporters.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also ongoing, he noted.
Weeping family members stood outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their lost relatives.
Among them is a man searching desperately for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I learned of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my loved one back," he stated to news media.
The devastating event has another time highlighted the security issues facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which employs countless of workers and is a significant contributor to foreign revenue for the country.
