Deadly Apparel Factory Blaze in the South Asian nation Claims no Fewer than 16 Fatalities
No fewer than 16 persons have died after a massive fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with officials warning that the number of victims could climb.
A total of sixteen bodies have been recovered but were burned beyond recognition, the fire department said.
Distraught relatives converged outside the four-level factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on Tuesday in search of their loved ones still unaccounted for.
The fire, which started at the factory around noon, was brought under control after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse remained ablaze, authorities confirmed.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, news sources reported.
Fire department authorities have not established which of the two buildings ignited initially.
According to eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, plastic and chemical peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Polymer products also emits hazardous smoke when combusted.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still searching for the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director the fire service official briefed journalists.
An probe on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also currently underway, he mentioned.
Tearful family members gathered outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their lost relatives.
Among them is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I heard about the fire, I came running. But I still haven't found her... I just want my daughter back," he told reporters.
The catastrophic occurrence has another time underscored the security issues plaguing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which employs countless of workers and is a crucial source of economic income for the country.
