Tragic Clothing Factory Blaze in Bangladesh Takes at Least 16 Victims

At least 16 persons have perished after a massive fire started at a apparel factory in Bangladesh, with authorities stating that the number of victims could climb.

A total of sixteen bodies have been recovered but were incinerated beyond recognition, the fire department stated.

Distraught relatives converged outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in looking for their family members still unaccounted for.

The inferno, which started at the factory around midday, was put out after multiple hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse continued to burn, officials confirmed.

Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the fire at the chemical warehouse had not been entirely put out, journalistic accounts reported.

Fire service officials have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.

Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse contained bleaching powder, synthetic polymers and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can accelerate fires. Synthetic materials also produces hazardous smoke when ignited.

Law enforcement and armed forces are still attempting to find the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the department director informed the media.

An investigation on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also currently underway, he mentioned.

Crying family members gathered outside the burned buildings, many of them holding photographs of their lost relatives.

Included in the crowd is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his loved one.

"When I learned of the fire, I came running. But I still haven't found her... I just want my loved one back," he expressed to news media.

The tragic incident has another time emphasized the security issues affecting Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which employs countless of workers and is a major provider of export earnings for the country.