Tragic Clothing Factory Fire in Bangladesh Claims a Minimum of 16 Victims
At least 16 persons have died after a enormous fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities cautioning that the fatality count could increase.
Sixteen bodies have been recovered but were burned beyond recognition, the fire department reported.
Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on Tuesday in search of their family members still unaccounted for.
The fire, which erupted at the factory around midday, was extinguished after multiple hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, emergency services confirmed.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, media reports reported.
Fire department authorities have not established which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse housed industrial bleaches, synthetic polymers and chemical peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Synthetic materials also emits hazardous smoke when burned.
Police and military officers are still attempting to find the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the department director briefed reporters.
An probe on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also ongoing, he mentioned.
Tearful family members gathered outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them grasping photographs of their lost relatives.
Among them is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I learned of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my loved one back," he expressed to journalists.
The catastrophic occurrence has another time underscored the hazardous conditions plaguing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which engages millions of workers and is a crucial contributor to economic income for the nation.
