Devastating Garment Factory Inferno in the South Asian nation Claims at Least 16 Fatalities
At least 16 individuals have perished after a massive fire erupted at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with officials warning that the number of victims could increase.
Sixteen bodies have been found but were burned beyond recognition, the firefighters stated.
Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on that day in looking for their family members still not found.
The blaze, which started at the factory around noon, was brought under control after several hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse continued to burn, officials reported.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, media reports indicated.
Emergency responders have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse housed industrial bleaches, synthetic polymers and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Polymer products also releases toxic fumes when burned.
Police and military officers are still trying to locate the owners of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the department director informed the media.
An investigation on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also currently underway, he mentioned.
Crying family members gathered outside the charred buildings, many of them grasping photographs of their missing relatives.
Among them is a man looking frantically for his daughter, his family member.
"When I was informed of the fire, I came running. But I still haven't found her... I just want my child back," he told news media.
The tragic incident has once again emphasized the safety concerns affecting Bangladesh's clothing sector, which engages millions of workers and is a major contributor to export earnings for the country.
