Tragic Clothing Factory Inferno in Bangladesh Claims at Least 16 Lives
At least 16 persons have lost their lives after a huge fire erupted at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with authorities warning that the death toll could increase.
16 bodies have been found but were burned unrecognizable, the firefighters said.
Grief-stricken relatives converged outside the four-storey factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in search of their dear ones still missing.
The blaze, which started at the factory around lunchtime, was brought under control after three hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse continued to burn, authorities reported.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, journalistic accounts reported.
Fire service officials have not ascertained which of the two buildings was the origin point.
Per eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, synthetic polymers and industrial peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Polymer products also produces hazardous smoke when combusted.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still searching for the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the fire service official told reporters.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also ongoing, he added.
Tearful family members stood outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his family member.
"When I heard about the fire, I rushed here. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my child back," he told reporters.
The tragic incident has yet again highlighted the hazardous conditions facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which employs countless of workers and is a major source of export earnings for the country.
