Tragic Garment Factory Inferno in the South Asian nation Takes at Least 16 Fatalities
At least 16 persons have died after a massive fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities stating that the number of victims could climb.
A total of sixteen bodies have been found but were burned impossible to identify, the fire department said.
Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the four-level factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on that day in looking for their dear ones still unaccounted for.
The inferno, which erupted at the factory around midday, was brought under control after three hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse continued to burn, officials reported.
Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, media reports indicated.
Fire department authorities have not determined which of the two buildings was the origin point.
According to bystanders, the chemical warehouse contained bleaching powder, plastic and industrial peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Polymer products also produces toxic fumes when combusted.
Security personnel are still trying to locate the operators of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the fire service official briefed reporters.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also in progress, he noted.
Weeping family members stood outside the charred buildings, many of them grasping photographs of their missing relatives.
Among them is a man searching desperately for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I learned of the fire, I came running. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my loved one back," he told journalists.
The devastating event has once again underscored the safety concerns affecting Bangladesh's clothing sector, which engages millions of workers and is a major provider of economic income for the South Asian economy.
