Deadly Garment Factory Blaze in Bangladesh Takes a Minimum of 16 Fatalities
No fewer than 16 persons have died after a massive fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with officials cautioning that the fatality count could rise.
Sixteen bodies have been recovered but were charred unrecognizable, the fire service said.
Distraught relatives gathered outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in search of their loved ones still missing.
The inferno, which broke out at the factory around midday, was brought under control after three hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse kept burning, emergency services reported.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, media reports said.
Fire service officials have not determined which of the two buildings was the origin point.
Per witnesses, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, plastic materials and industrial peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Polymer products also emits toxic fumes when burned.
Police and military officers are still searching for the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire service director the fire service official informed the media.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also currently underway, he added.
Tearful family members stood outside the charred buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their missing relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his loved one.
"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 daughter back," he stated to journalists.
The devastating event has yet again emphasized the security issues facing Bangladesh's garment industry, which provides jobs for countless of workers and is a significant contributor to export earnings for the country.
