Devastating Garment Factory Fire in Bangladesh Takes a Minimum of 16 Lives
No fewer than 16 individuals have lost their lives after a enormous fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities warning that the number of victims could climb.
Sixteen bodies have been recovered but were burned beyond recognition, the fire department reported.
Heartbroken relatives assembled outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in looking for their loved ones still not found.
The fire, which broke out at the factory around midday, was put out after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse remained ablaze, emergency services confirmed.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, news sources indicated.
Fire service officials have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on witnesses, the chemical warehouse housed industrial bleaches, synthetic polymers and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Polymer products also emits poisonous gases when ignited.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still trying to locate the owners of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the department director briefed journalists.
An investigation on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also currently underway, he noted.
Weeping family members gathered outside the charred buildings, many of them holding photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Among them is a man looking frantically for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I heard about the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my child back," he told reporters.
The catastrophic occurrence has once again emphasized the safety concerns facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for countless of workers and is a crucial contributor to foreign revenue for the country.
