Devastating Apparel Factory Blaze in the South Asian nation Takes no Fewer than 16 Fatalities
At least 16 individuals have perished after a huge fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with officials stating that the fatality count could climb.
A total of sixteen bodies have been recovered but were burned impossible to identify, the firefighters said.
Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the four-level factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on that day in looking for their dear ones still not found.
The blaze, which broke out at the factory around midday, was put out after three hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse kept burning, authorities said.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, journalistic accounts reported.
Fire service officials have not established which of the two buildings ignited initially.
According to witnesses, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, synthetic polymers and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also produces toxic fumes when combusted.
Security personnel are still attempting to find the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury told the media.
An probe on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also currently underway, he noted.
Tearful family members gathered 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 learned of the fire, I came running. But I still haven't found her... I just want my child back," he expressed to reporters.
The devastating event has another time highlighted the security issues facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for countless of workers and is a significant provider of export earnings for the nation.
