Pakistan factory fires kill 125 workers

The fire broke out in the garment factory on Tuesday evening. Many other people were injured, including some who jumped from the burning building.

 

The death toll rose early Wednesday after authorities pulled more bodies from the building. Many of the dead were found in the factory’s basement.

 

Injured workers said they were unable to find a way out and jumped out of windows to escape, suffering broken bones. Parts of the building were still smoldering hours after the fire.

Officials said windows at the factory were blocked with metal grills.

The cause of the blaze was still being investigated, police said.

It took fire crews several hours to bring the fire under control and rescue workers trapped inside the burning building.

Bodies have been taken to several different hospitals, and police are still compiling a definitive list of casualties.

Local police said that they feared more bodies could be inside the building.

Chief Fire Officer Ehtishamud Deen said that his staff were trying to rescue about 20 people trapped in the basement and on the fourth floor.

He said the building had no fire exits or alternative means of escape and that most of the dead had been suffocated.

Source: TOE