Devastating Apparel Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Takes at Least 16 Fatalities
At least 16 individuals have perished after a huge fire started at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with authorities stating that the number of victims could climb.
16 bodies have been recovered but were charred beyond recognition, the firefighters stated.
Grief-stricken relatives converged outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in search of their dear ones still missing.
The fire, which started at the factory around noon, was put out after three hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse kept burning, emergency services confirmed.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, journalistic accounts indicated.
Fire department authorities have not ascertained which of the two buildings caught fire first.
Per eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse contained bleaching powder, plastic materials and chemical peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Plastic also releases toxic fumes when ignited.
Police and military officers are still attempting to find the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury briefed journalists.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also currently underway, he added.
Crying family members stood outside the burned buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their missing relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his family member.
"When I learned of the fire, I rushed here. But I still haven't found her... I just want my daughter back," he expressed to news media.
The devastating event has another time highlighted the security issues affecting Bangladesh's clothing sector, which employs millions of workers and is a major contributor to economic income for the South Asian economy.