Deadly Garment Factory Inferno in the South Asian nation Has Taken at Least 16 Victims
At least 16 persons have died after a enormous fire started at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with authorities stating that the fatality count could rise.
A total of sixteen bodies have been found but were burned unrecognizable, the fire department said.
Grief-stricken relatives converged outside the four-level factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in looking for their dear ones still missing.
The inferno, which erupted at the factory around midday, was put out after several hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, officials confirmed.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, news sources indicated.
Emergency responders have not established which of the two buildings ignited initially.
According to eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse housed industrial bleaches, plastic materials and industrial peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also emits hazardous smoke when burned.
Police and military officers are still attempting to find the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the fire service official informed reporters.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also currently underway, he noted.
Tearful family members gathered outside the charred buildings, many of them grasping photographs of their lost relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his family member.
"When I learned of the fire, I rushed here. But I still haven't found her... I just want my child back," he told reporters.
The tragic incident has once again emphasized the hazardous conditions affecting Bangladesh's garment industry, which engages numerous of workers and is a crucial provider of export earnings for the nation.
