Building collapses in Dhaka: Over 80 feared dead

, April 24: At least 70 people were

while several hundreds were injured after an eight-story

on the outskirts of Dhaka on Wednesday morning. According to another report, the toll is 82.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Labor and Employment Israfil Alam said at least 50 bodies had been recovered so far. Fire service officials said the building, which houses a ready-made garment factory, a bank office and many shops, collapsed around 9 am local time.

Many more were believed to be trapped inside and authorities fear that the death toll could rise further. The army was also called in to assist the rescue operation. The injured were admitted to a hospital.

Local people helped the officials in tracing survivors among the piles of rubble. TV footage showed rescue workers dropping water bottles and dry food packets to the basements of the building where many people were trapped.

The reason behind the collapse was yet to be known. However, reports said that a crack had been detected in the building.

A multi-story garment factory had collapsed in the same area in 2005, killing over 70 people. In November last year, at least 110 people were suffocated to death after a garment factory in the national capital caught fire.

OneIndia News