Devastating Apparel Factory Fire in Bangladesh Takes at Least 16 Lives
At least 16 persons have died after a enormous fire broke out at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with authorities warning that the death toll could increase.
16 bodies have been recovered but were incinerated beyond recognition, the fire department reported.
Heartbroken relatives assembled outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in search of their loved ones still missing.
The blaze, which erupted at the factory around midday, was brought under control after multiple hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse kept burning, authorities reported.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, media reports reported.
Emergency responders have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Per bystanders, the chemical warehouse stored chemical bleaching agents, plastic and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Polymer products also emits hazardous smoke when burned.
Security personnel are still searching for the operators of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the department director informed reporters.
An probe on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also currently underway, he added.
Weeping family members gathered outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them grasping photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I learned of the fire, I came running. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my child back," he told reporters.
The devastating event has once again underscored the safety concerns plaguing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which engages countless of workers and is a significant contributor to economic income for the South Asian economy.
