Tragic Clothing Factory Inferno in the South Asian nation Claims a Minimum of 16 Victims

No fewer than 16 individuals have perished after a enormous fire broke out at a clothing factory in Bangladesh, with officials warning that the number of victims could increase.

Sixteen bodies have been found but were incinerated beyond recognition, the fire service stated.

Distraught relatives gathered outside the multi-story factory in Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday in looking for their dear ones still unaccounted for.

The blaze, which started at the factory around noon, was brought under control after several hours. But an adjacent chemical warehouse kept burning, emergency services reported.

As late as 21:00 local time (15:00 GMT) that day, 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 eyewitnesses, the chemical warehouse stored bleaching powder, synthetic polymers and chemical peroxide, all of which can intensify fires. Polymer products also emits poisonous gases when ignited.

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

An investigation on whether the warehouse was operating legally is also in progress, he noted.

Tearful family members gathered outside the fire-damaged buildings, many of them holding photographs of their unaccounted for relatives.

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

"When I heard about the fire, I rushed here. But I still have been unable to find her... I just want my daughter back," he told news media.

The tragic incident has once again underscored the security issues plaguing Bangladesh's clothing sector, which provides jobs for countless of workers and is a crucial contributor to export earnings for the nation.