Tragic Garment Factory Fire in Bangladesh Has Taken at Least 16 Fatalities
At least 16 people have perished after a huge fire started at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with authorities cautioning that the number of victims could increase.
Sixteen bodies have been found but were incinerated beyond recognition, the fire department reported.
Distraught relatives gathered outside the four-storey factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on that day in search of their dear ones still not found.
The inferno, which erupted at the factory around noon, was brought under control after several hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse remained ablaze, authorities said.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, journalistic accounts indicated.
Emergency responders have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on witnesses, the chemical warehouse housed bleaching powder, synthetic polymers and industrial peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Synthetic materials also produces toxic fumes when ignited.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still attempting to find the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury informed reporters.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also in progress, he mentioned.
Weeping family members gathered outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Among them is a man looking frantically for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I was informed of the fire, I came running. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my daughter back," he expressed to reporters.
The catastrophic occurrence has yet again underscored the safety concerns affecting Bangladesh's garment industry, which provides jobs for countless of workers and is a major contributor to foreign revenue for the nation.