Deadly Apparel Factory Inferno in Bangladesh Takes a Minimum of 16 Fatalities

No fewer than 16 persons have perished after a huge fire broke out at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with emergency services warning that the fatality count could climb.

Sixteen bodies have been found but were incinerated impossible to identify, the fire service stated.

Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on that day in search of their dear ones still unaccounted for.

The fire, which started at the factory around midday, was brought under control after several hours. But an neighboring chemical warehouse kept burning, emergency services said.

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

Fire department authorities have not ascertained which of the two buildings ignited initially.

Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse housed chemical bleaching agents, plastic materials and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Synthetic materials also releases toxic fumes when ignited.

Law enforcement and armed forces are still trying to locate the proprietors of the factory and the warehouse, fire department chief the fire service official told the media.

An inquiry on whether the warehouse was functioning with proper authorization is also ongoing, he noted.

Weeping family members gathered outside the charred buildings, many of them clutching photographs of their lost relatives.

Among them is a man seeking urgently for his daughter, his family member.

"When I learned of the fire, I came running. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my daughter back," he stated to reporters.

The catastrophic occurrence has once again highlighted the security issues facing Bangladesh's apparel manufacturing, which engages countless of workers and is a major contributor to economic income for the South Asian economy.