Devastating Apparel Factory Inferno in Bangladesh Has Taken at Least 16 Victims

A minimum of 16 individuals have lost their lives after a enormous fire started at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with authorities stating that the death toll could increase.

Sixteen bodies have been found but were charred beyond recognition, the fire service reported.

Grief-stricken relatives gathered outside the four-storey factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on that day in search of their dear ones still missing.

The blaze, which erupted at the factory around lunchtime, was put out after three hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse kept burning, emergency services said.

As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been completely doused, media reports reported.

Fire department authorities have not established which of the two buildings was the origin point.

Per eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse contained bleaching powder, plastic and chemical peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Plastic also produces toxic fumes when ignited.

Police and military officers are still trying to locate the operators of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury told journalists.

An probe on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also currently underway, he added.

Tearful family members stood outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their missing relatives.

Included in the crowd is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his family member.

"When I was informed of the fire, I came running. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my child back," he told journalists.

The tragic incident has once again highlighted the security issues affecting Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which provides jobs for countless of workers and is a significant provider of export earnings for the country.