Devastating Apparel Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Has Taken a Minimum of 16 Victims
A minimum of 16 individuals have lost their lives after a huge fire erupted at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with authorities cautioning that the fatality count could climb.
16 bodies have been found but were charred unrecognizable, the fire department stated.
Heartbroken relatives converged outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in seeking their family members still missing.
The fire, which started at the factory around midday, was put out after three hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse remained ablaze, emergency services reported.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, media reports reported.
Fire service officials have not established which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Per bystanders, the chemical warehouse housed industrial bleaches, synthetic polymers and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Polymer products also emits hazardous smoke when ignited.
Security personnel are still trying to locate the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury informed the media.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also ongoing, he added.
Crying family members stood outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their lost relatives.
Present at the scene is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I was informed of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still haven't found her... I just want my daughter back," he expressed to journalists.
The tragic incident has yet again highlighted the security issues facing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which employs numerous of workers and is a significant source of economic income for the nation.
