Devastating Clothing Factory Blaze in the South Asian nation Has Taken no Fewer than 16 Victims
At least 16 people have perished after a enormous fire broke out at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with officials warning that the fatality count could rise.
A total of sixteen bodies have been found but were burned unrecognizable, the fire department reported.
Distraught relatives gathered outside the four-storey factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on that day in search of their loved ones still not found.
The blaze, which broke out at the factory around lunchtime, was brought under control after several hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse kept burning, authorities confirmed.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, news sources reported.
Emergency responders have not established which of the two buildings ignited initially.
According to bystanders, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, plastic and chemical peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Synthetic materials also emits hazardous smoke when ignited.
Police and military officers are still attempting to find the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the department director informed reporters.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also in progress, he noted.
Tearful family members stood outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them grasping photographs of their lost relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I heard about the fire, I rushed here. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my loved one back," he told news media.
The devastating event has once again underscored the safety concerns facing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which employs numerous of workers and is a significant source of economic income for the nation.
