Devastating Garment Factory Inferno in the South Asian nation Claims no Fewer than 16 Victims
No fewer than 16 persons have lost their lives after a huge fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services stating that the death toll could rise.
16 bodies have been found but were incinerated impossible to identify, the fire department stated.
Heartbroken relatives assembled outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in looking for their loved ones still not found.
The blaze, which broke out at the factory around lunchtime, was brought under control after three hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse continued to burn, officials said.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, news sources said.
Fire department authorities have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse housed bleaching powder, synthetic polymers and industrial peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also emits toxic fumes when burned.
Security personnel are still attempting to find the owners of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury briefed the media.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also currently underway, he noted.
Crying family members stood outside the burned buildings, many of them grasping photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Among them is a man looking frantically for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I heard about the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my child back," he stated to news media.
The devastating event has once again emphasized the safety concerns facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which employs countless of workers and is a major provider of export earnings for the nation.
