Rescue work continues as death toll rises in Pakistan factory collapse
- 9 years ago
Rescuers at the site of a collapsed factory in Pakistan continued to dig through the rubble on Thursday, as the death toll rose to at least 21, officials said, describing the latest tragedy to spotlight poor safety standards in South Asia.
Rescue officials said 102 survivors had so far been pulled from the wreckage of the factory, which manufactured polythene shopping bags 20 km south of the eastern city of Lahore, and collapsed on Wednesday night.
At least 21 bodies had also been recovered by rescue crews using heavy construction machinery and other tools to dig through the debris, said Mohammad Younis Bhatti, a rescue official, on Thursday.
Earlier, officials estimated 150 people had been in the building when it collapsed.
Rescuers had to move slowly, government officials said, to avoid further injuries to those still trapped.
Pakistan's construction sector is plagued by poor oversight and developers frequently flout building codes.
Rescue officials said 102 survivors had so far been pulled from the wreckage of the factory, which manufactured polythene shopping bags 20 km south of the eastern city of Lahore, and collapsed on Wednesday night.
At least 21 bodies had also been recovered by rescue crews using heavy construction machinery and other tools to dig through the debris, said Mohammad Younis Bhatti, a rescue official, on Thursday.
Earlier, officials estimated 150 people had been in the building when it collapsed.
Rescuers had to move slowly, government officials said, to avoid further injuries to those still trapped.
Pakistan's construction sector is plagued by poor oversight and developers frequently flout building codes.