Tragic Clothing Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Claims a Minimum of 16 Lives
At least 16 persons have lost their lives after a enormous fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services warning that the death toll could climb.
Sixteen bodies have been retrieved but were incinerated impossible to identify, the fire department stated.
Grief-stricken relatives converged outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in search of their loved ones still missing.
The blaze, which started at the factory around noon, was put out after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse remained ablaze, authorities reported.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, media reports reported.
Fire service officials have not ascertained which of the two buildings was the origin point.
According to bystanders, the chemical warehouse housed industrial bleaches, plastic and industrial peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also releases poisonous gases when ignited.
Security personnel are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the department director briefed the media.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also ongoing, he noted.
Tearful family members waited outside the burned buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their missing relatives.
Present at the scene is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his family member.
"When I heard about the fire, I rushed here. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my daughter back," he expressed to news media.
The catastrophic occurrence has yet again emphasized the safety concerns affecting Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which engages countless of workers and is a significant contributor to foreign revenue for the South Asian economy.
