Devastating Apparel Factory Blaze in the South Asian nation Claims at Least 16 Lives
At least 16 people have perished after a massive fire broke out at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with officials stating that the death toll could climb.
A total of sixteen bodies have been recovered but were charred unrecognizable, the fire department reported.
Distraught relatives converged outside the multi-story factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on that day in search of their dear ones still not found.
The fire, which started at the factory around noon, was extinguished after several hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse continued to burn, authorities reported.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, media reports reported.
Fire department authorities have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, plastic and chemical peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Polymer products also releases toxic fumes when ignited.
Police and military officers are still attempting to find the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director the department director informed journalists.
An probe on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also currently underway, he mentioned.
Weeping family members gathered outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them grasping photographs of their missing relatives.
Present at the scene is a man looking frantically for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I learned of the fire, I came running. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my daughter back," he expressed to journalists.
The tragic incident has yet again emphasized the hazardous conditions facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for millions of workers and is a significant source of economic income for the South Asian economy.
