Deadly Apparel Factory Inferno in Bangladesh Takes at Least 16 Fatalities

At least 16 people have died after a massive fire broke out at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with authorities warning that the fatality count could climb.

16 bodies have been found but were charred unrecognizable, the fire service said.

Grief-stricken relatives assembled outside the multi-story factory in the Mirpur district of Dhaka on Tuesday in looking for their dear ones still missing.

The inferno, which broke out at the factory around noon, was brought under control after three hours. But an nearby chemical warehouse continued to burn, emergency services reported.

Up until 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, 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 ignited initially.

Based on bystanders, the chemical warehouse housed chemical bleaching agents, plastic and hydrogen peroxide, all of which can worsen fires. Plastic also releases toxic fumes when burned.

Police and military officers are still searching for the owners of the factory and the warehouse, emergency services head the fire service official informed reporters.

An inquiry on whether the warehouse was running according to regulations is also in progress, he mentioned.

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

Present at the scene is a man searching desperately for his daughter, his family member.

"When I heard about the fire, I rushed here. But I still cannot locate her... I just want my loved one back," he told journalists.

The devastating event has yet again highlighted the security issues facing Bangladesh's garment industry, which employs countless of workers and is a significant contributor to export earnings for the country.