Devastating Clothing Factory Blaze in the South Asian nation Takes at Least 16 Lives
At least 16 individuals have perished after a massive fire started at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services warning that the fatality count could increase.
Sixteen bodies have been found but were charred impossible to identify, the firefighters reported.
Heartbroken relatives assembled outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in search of their dear ones still missing.
The inferno, which erupted at the factory around midday, was brought under control after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse continued to burn, emergency services confirmed.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, journalistic accounts indicated.
Emergency responders have not established which of the two buildings was the origin point.
According to bystanders, the chemical warehouse housed bleaching powder, plastic and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also emits hazardous smoke when burned.
Security personnel are still searching for the owners of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury briefed reporters.
An probe on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also currently underway, he added.
Tearful family members waited outside the charred buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their missing relatives.
Among them is a man looking frantically for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I heard about the fire, I rushed here. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my child back," he expressed to reporters.
The tragic incident has another time underscored the security issues plaguing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which engages countless of workers and is a major contributor to economic income for the nation.
