Tragic Clothing Factory Fire in Bangladesh Takes a Minimum of 16 Lives
At least 16 persons have died after a enormous fire erupted at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with officials stating that the fatality count could increase.
A total of sixteen bodies have been found but were burned impossible to identify, the firefighters said.
Grief-stricken relatives converged outside the four-level factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on Tuesday in search of their family members still missing.
The fire, which started at the factory around lunchtime, was extinguished after several hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, officials 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, media reports indicated.
Fire service officials have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Based on witnesses, the chemical warehouse contained industrial bleaches, synthetic polymers and industrial peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Synthetic materials also produces hazardous smoke when ignited.
Security personnel are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the department director briefed the media.
An probe on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also ongoing, he noted.
Tearful family members stood outside the charred buildings, many of them holding photographs of their missing relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man searching desperately for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I was informed of the fire, I hurried to the scene. But I still haven't found her... I just want my daughter back," he stated to reporters.
The devastating event has yet again underscored the security issues plaguing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which engages millions of workers and is a crucial contributor to foreign revenue for the nation.
