Deadly Apparel Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Has Taken at Least 16 Fatalities
No fewer than 16 individuals have died after a massive fire broke out at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with authorities stating that the fatality count could climb.
Sixteen bodies have been found but were charred beyond recognition, the fire service stated.
Distraught relatives converged outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in looking for their loved ones still unaccounted for.
The fire, which broke out at the factory around midday, was brought under control after several hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse kept burning, authorities reported.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, news sources reported.
Fire service officials have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.
According to witnesses, the chemical warehouse contained industrial bleaches, plastic and industrial peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Synthetic materials also produces poisonous gases when burned.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still attempting to find the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the department director briefed the media.
An investigation on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also in progress, he mentioned.
Crying family members stood outside the charred buildings, many of them grasping photographs of their missing relatives.
Present at the scene is a man looking frantically for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I was informed of the fire, I rushed here. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my child back," he expressed to reporters.
The catastrophic occurrence has yet again highlighted the security issues facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which employs numerous of workers and is a significant source of foreign revenue for the nation.
