Karachi fire: Police file murder case

, Sept 13:

police filed a murder case against the owners and management of a garment factory here after a devastating fire killed 285 people on Tuesday night. It is said that many of the victims could not escape since the exit doors were locked, police sources said.

The fire, which was termed as the deadliest industrial accident in Pakistan's history since 1947, exposed the country's pathetic industrial safety conditions. It is said that several establishments flout safety regulations and yet escape unpunished by authorities. Twenty-five people were killed while dozens were injured in another fire that broke out at a shoe factory in Lahore, hours before the Karachi incident. There too, the fire had blocked the only way to get out and the firefighters had to break through the wall to reach out to the victims.

Police were hunting the factory owners and managers who were still absconding although according to one report, registering case does not amount to charging somebody of murder. Under the Pakistani law, the police case is registered as the first step towards a probe. They advise whether any charges should be slapped only after the probe gets over.

The fire broke out after a boiler exploded and chemicals which were stored in the factory were ignited. Nearly 400 workers were inside the factory when the incident took place. Several of the victims could be recovered after the flames were doused and firefighters managed to enter the factory. Many choked to death in the basement which was filled with smoke.

OneIndia News