A devastating fire engulfed a garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, claiming the lives of at least 16 individuals, with fears that the death toll may escalate. The inferno, which erupted around midday on Tuesday, ravaged the four-storey building in the Mirpur area, leaving bodies charred beyond recognition. Distraught families gathered outside the factory, clutching photographs of their missing loved ones, desperate for answers. The blaze was extinguished after three hours, but a neighboring chemical warehouse continued to burn, complicating rescue efforts. Firefighters struggled to contain the chemical fire, which persisted until late evening, fueled by hazardous materials such as bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide. Authorities are yet to determine the origin of the fire, with investigations underway to ascertain whether the warehouse was operating legally. The factory and warehouse owners remain unlocated, adding to the uncertainty. Among the grieving is a father searching for his daughter, Farzana Akhter, who remains missing. ‘I just want my daughter back,’ he pleaded, encapsulating the anguish of countless families affected by this tragedy.
