Devastating Clothing Factory Inferno in Bangladesh Takes at Least 16 Victims
At least 16 persons have lost their lives after a enormous fire broke out at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services warning that the fatality count could increase.
Sixteen bodies have been recovered but were charred beyond recognition, the fire service said.
Grief-stricken relatives gathered outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in search of their loved ones still unaccounted for.
The fire, which broke out at the factory around midday, was brought under control after several hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse continued to burn, emergency services confirmed.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, journalistic accounts said.
Fire service officials have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on witnesses, the chemical warehouse contained industrial bleaches, plastic and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also produces poisonous gases when combusted.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still attempting to find the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the fire service official informed journalists.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also in progress, 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 looking frantically for his daughter, his family member.
"When I heard about the fire, I rushed here. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my loved one back," he stated to news media.
The tragic incident has another time underscored the safety concerns plaguing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for millions of workers and is a significant provider of economic income for the South Asian economy.
