Tragic Clothing Factory Fire in Bangladesh Claims a Minimum of 16 Lives
No fewer than 16 people have lost their lives after a massive fire broke out at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with officials warning that the fatality count could climb.
A total of sixteen bodies have been found but were burned beyond recognition, the firefighters stated.
Grief-stricken relatives assembled outside the four-level factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on Tuesday in looking for their dear ones still missing.
The fire, which started at the factory around midday, was put out after multiple hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse remained ablaze, authorities reported.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, media reports said.
Emergency responders have not established which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on witnesses, the chemical warehouse stored chemical bleaching agents, plastic materials and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Polymer products also produces poisonous gases when burned.
Law enforcement and armed forces are still trying to locate the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the department director briefed reporters.
An inquiry on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also currently underway, he noted.
Weeping family members stood outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their missing relatives.
Present at the scene is a man looking frantically for his daughter, his family member.
"When I learned of the fire, I came running. But I still haven't found her... I just want my child back," he expressed to news media.
The devastating event has another time highlighted the hazardous conditions plaguing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which engages millions of workers and is a crucial contributor to foreign revenue for the nation.
