Tragic Apparel Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Claims no Fewer than 16 Victims
At least 16 individuals have perished after a enormous fire broke out at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with officials warning that the fatality count could increase.
Sixteen bodies have been found but were burned impossible to identify, the fire service said.
Grief-stricken relatives assembled outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in seeking their family members still missing.
The fire, which erupted at the factory around noon, was extinguished after multiple hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, emergency services said.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, news sources indicated.
Fire service officials have not established which of the two buildings was the origin point.
According to eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse stored industrial bleaches, plastic and chemical peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Polymer products also produces poisonous gases when combusted.
Security personnel are still searching for the owners of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury briefed the media.
An investigation on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also currently underway, he mentioned.
Tearful family members stood outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their lost relatives.
Among them is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his family member.
"When I was informed of the fire, I rushed here. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my child back," he stated to reporters.
The tragic incident has another time highlighted the security issues plaguing Bangladesh's garment industry, which engages numerous of workers and is a major source of foreign revenue for the nation.
