Deadly Garment Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Takes at Least 16 Victims
No fewer than 16 people have lost their lives after a massive fire broke out at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with authorities stating that the death toll could increase.
16 bodies have been retrieved but were charred impossible to identify, the firefighters stated.
Distraught relatives assembled outside the multi-story factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on that day in search of their loved ones still not found.
The inferno, which erupted at the factory around lunchtime, was put out after several hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse remained ablaze, emergency services said.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, media reports reported.
Fire service officials have not established which of the two buildings caught fire first.
According to bystanders, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, plastic materials and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Polymer products also releases toxic fumes when ignited.
Security personnel are still trying to locate the owners of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the fire service official briefed the media.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also in progress, he added.
Weeping family members stood outside the charred buildings, many of them holding photographs of their lost relatives.
Present at the scene is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his family member.
"When I was informed of the fire, I rushed here. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my daughter back," he stated to journalists.
The devastating event has another time highlighted the security issues facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which employs millions of workers and is a crucial provider of economic income for the nation.
