Deadly Clothing Factory Fire in Bangladesh Claims no Fewer than 16 Fatalities
At least 16 people have died after a massive fire started at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with officials stating that the fatality count could increase.
A total of sixteen bodies have been found but were burned beyond recognition, the fire service said.
Grief-stricken relatives assembled outside the multi-story factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on that day in seeking their dear ones still unaccounted for.
The blaze, which broke out at the factory around noon, was brought under control after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, emergency services reported.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, news sources reported.
Fire service officials have not ascertained which of the two buildings caught fire first.
Based on witnesses, the chemical warehouse housed industrial bleaches, plastic and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Polymer products also emits poisonous gases when combusted.
Police and military officers are still searching for the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the fire service official informed the media.
An probe on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also in progress, he mentioned.
Tearful family members gathered outside the burned buildings, many of them holding photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Among them is a man looking frantically for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I was informed of the fire, I came running. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my child back," he stated to reporters.
The devastating event has once again emphasized the safety concerns affecting Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which engages millions of workers and is a major contributor to export earnings for the South Asian economy.