Devastating Apparel Factory Fire in Bangladesh Has Taken no Fewer than 16 Lives
A minimum of 16 persons have lost their lives after a huge fire broke out at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with officials stating that the fatality count could climb.
Sixteen bodies have been retrieved but were burned beyond recognition, the firefighters stated.
Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the four-storey factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in seeking their loved ones still not found.
The fire, which erupted at the factory around lunchtime, was brought under control after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse kept burning, emergency services confirmed.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) yesterday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, journalistic accounts reported.
Emergency responders have not established which of the two buildings ignited initially.
According to witnesses, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, synthetic polymers and chemical peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Polymer products also releases toxic fumes when combusted.
Security personnel are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the fire service official briefed reporters.
An probe on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also currently underway, he added.
Tearful family members stood outside the charred buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their missing relatives.
Among them is a man searching desperately for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I was informed of the fire, I rushed here. 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 garment industry, which engages numerous of workers and is a crucial contributor to foreign revenue for the country.
