Tragic Apparel Factory Inferno in Bangladesh Has Taken at Least 16 Fatalities
No fewer than 16 persons have perished after a huge fire started at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services warning that the death toll could increase.
Sixteen bodies have been found but were incinerated beyond recognition, the fire department said.
Grief-stricken relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in search of their loved ones still missing.
The fire, which erupted at the factory around midday, was extinguished after multiple hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse kept burning, officials reported.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, media reports reported.
Emergency responders have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Per bystanders, the chemical warehouse contained bleaching powder, plastic and chemical peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Synthetic materials also produces poisonous gases when combusted.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still searching for the owners of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury briefed journalists.
An investigation on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also in progress, he added.
Crying family members stood outside the charred buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Present at the scene is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his family member.
"When I was informed of the fire, I came running. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my child back," he stated to reporters.
The tragic incident has yet again emphasized the security issues facing Bangladesh's garment industry, which employs numerous of workers and is a significant contributor to economic income for the nation.
