Deadly Apparel Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Takes no Fewer than 16 Victims
A minimum of 16 individuals have perished after a enormous fire broke out at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services stating that the number of victims could increase.
16 bodies have been recovered but were burned unrecognizable, the fire service said.
Distraught relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on that day in looking for their dear ones still missing.
The fire, which broke out at the factory around noon, was put out after multiple hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse remained ablaze, emergency services confirmed.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, news sources indicated.
Fire department authorities have not established which of the two buildings ignited initially.
According to eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse contained industrial bleaches, plastic and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Polymer products also emits toxic fumes 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 briefed the media.
An probe on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also in progress, he mentioned.
Crying family members gathered outside the burned buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their missing relatives.
Among them is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I was informed of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my child back," he expressed to reporters.
The devastating event has yet again emphasized the hazardous conditions facing Bangladesh's garment industry, which employs millions of workers and is a major source of economic income for the nation.
