Tragic Apparel Factory Fire in Bangladesh Claims at Least 16 Fatalities
No fewer than 16 persons have perished after a huge fire started at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services warning that the death toll could climb.
16 bodies have been recovered but were incinerated impossible to identify, the fire service stated.
Distraught relatives assembled outside the four-storey factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on that day in seeking their dear ones still not found.
The fire, which started at the factory around midday, was brought under control after several hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse continued to burn, officials confirmed.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, news sources said.
Emergency responders have not ascertained which of the two buildings caught fire first.
Per bystanders, the chemical warehouse contained bleaching powder, plastic materials and industrial peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Polymer products also produces hazardous smoke when ignited.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still trying to locate the owners of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the department director briefed reporters.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also currently underway, he mentioned.
Crying family members gathered outside the charred buildings, many of them holding photographs of their lost relatives.
Present at the scene is a man looking frantically for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I was informed of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my loved one back," he told reporters.
The tragic incident has yet again highlighted the safety concerns plaguing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which engages millions of workers and is a significant source of export earnings for the nation.