Tragic Apparel Factory Blaze in the South Asian nation Takes at Least 16 Fatalities
At least 16 persons have perished after a massive fire broke out at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services cautioning that the fatality count could increase.
16 bodies have been recovered but were incinerated unrecognizable, the fire service reported.
Distraught relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on Tuesday in search of their dear ones still not found.
The blaze, which broke out at the factory around noon, was put out after several hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, authorities confirmed.
As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, journalistic accounts indicated.
Fire service officials have not determined which of the two buildings ignited initially.
According to bystanders, the chemical warehouse stored industrial bleaches, synthetic polymers and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Synthetic materials also releases poisonous gases when ignited.
Police and military officers are still attempting to find the operators of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury informed journalists.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also currently underway, he mentioned.
Crying family members waited outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his loved one.
"When I was informed of the fire, I came running. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my child back," he expressed to reporters.
The tragic incident has once again underscored the security issues plaguing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which engages countless of workers and is a major contributor to foreign revenue for the country.