Deadly Garment Factory Inferno in the South Asian nation Takes no Fewer than 16 Victims
At least 16 individuals have perished after a enormous fire started at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities stating that the fatality count could increase.
16 bodies have been retrieved but were charred unrecognizable, the firefighters reported.
Distraught relatives converged outside the multi-story factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on that day in looking for their loved ones still not found.
The blaze, which started at the factory around lunchtime, was extinguished after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse remained ablaze, officials said.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, journalistic accounts said.
Emergency responders have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, plastic and industrial peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Plastic also releases toxic fumes when combusted.
Security personnel are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director the fire service official briefed reporters.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also in progress, he mentioned.
Crying family members gathered outside the burned buildings, many of them holding photographs of their missing relatives.
Present at the scene is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his family member.
"When I learned of the fire, I rushed here. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my child back," he stated to news media.
The catastrophic occurrence has once again emphasized the hazardous conditions facing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which provides jobs for millions of workers and is a major source of export earnings for the nation.
