Devastating Apparel Factory Inferno in the South Asian nation Claims at Least 16 Victims
At least 16 individuals have lost their lives after a massive fire erupted at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with authorities warning that the number of victims could rise.
A total of sixteen bodies have been found but were incinerated beyond recognition, the firefighters said.
Heartbroken relatives assembled outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in search of their family members still not found.
The fire, which erupted at the factory around midday, was extinguished after several hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse remained ablaze, authorities said.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, news sources indicated.
Fire service officials have not ascertained which of the two buildings was the origin point.
Based on eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse contained chemical bleaching agents, synthetic polymers and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Polymer products also emits hazardous smoke when ignited.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still searching for the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the department director briefed the media.
An probe on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also currently underway, he mentioned.
Tearful family members gathered outside the charred buildings, many of them holding photographs of their lost relatives.
Present at the scene is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I heard about the fire, I came running. 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 plaguing Bangladesh's garment industry, which engages millions of workers and is a crucial contributor to foreign revenue for the country.
