Tragic Garment Factory Fire in the South Asian nation Takes at Least 16 Lives
No fewer than 16 individuals have died after a huge fire erupted at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with officials stating that the death toll could rise.
Sixteen bodies have been retrieved but were incinerated impossible to identify, the fire service said.
Heartbroken relatives assembled outside the multi-story factory in Dhaka's Mirpur area on Tuesday in looking for their family members still missing.
The blaze, which erupted at the factory around noon, was brought under control after multiple hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse remained ablaze, emergency services confirmed.
Until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been fully extinguished, journalistic accounts reported.
Fire service officials have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.
Per eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse contained industrial bleaches, plastic materials and industrial peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Polymer products also emits toxic fumes when burned.
Security personnel are still trying to locate the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the fire service official told reporters.
An probe on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also ongoing, he added.
Crying family members gathered outside the charred buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their lost relatives.
Included in the crowd is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, Farzana Akhter.
"When I was informed of the fire, I came running. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my loved one back," he stated to reporters.
The catastrophic occurrence has yet again emphasized the security issues plaguing Bangladesh's garment industry, which employs countless of workers and is a significant contributor to foreign revenue for the nation.
