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| Pakistan Lahore factory collapse: Voices heard in rubble | Pakistan Lahore factory collapse: Voices heard in rubble |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A major rescue operation is under way to save dozens of people thought to be trapped under rubble after a factory collapsed in Lahore, Pakistan. | A major rescue operation is under way to save dozens of people thought to be trapped under rubble after a factory collapsed in Lahore, Pakistan. |
| At least 20 people died when the plastic bag factory, which was under construction, collapsed on Wednesday. | At least 20 people died when the plastic bag factory, which was under construction, collapsed on Wednesday. |
| Officials say the priority is to get to parts of the debris where voices and cries for help can still be heard. | Officials say the priority is to get to parts of the debris where voices and cries for help can still be heard. |
| The cause of the collapse is still unknown. Building safety levels are often below standard in Pakistan. | The cause of the collapse is still unknown. Building safety levels are often below standard in Pakistan. |
| There are reports that the earthquake which hit Pakistan two weeks ago, or faulty construction work, may have contributed to the collapse. | There are reports that the earthquake which hit Pakistan two weeks ago, or faulty construction work, may have contributed to the collapse. |
| Two floors of the factory, in the Sundar Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the city, were operational, while a third was being built. | Two floors of the factory, in the Sundar Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the city, were operational, while a third was being built. |
| One of the trapped workers, Liaqat Ali, was able to call a television station from his mobile phone. | One of the trapped workers, Liaqat Ali, was able to call a television station from his mobile phone. |
| "We were working on the first floor when the roof collapsed," he said. | "We were working on the first floor when the roof collapsed," he said. |
| "Now, I can hear the rumble of heavy machines which gives me hope that I will come out alive." | "Now, I can hear the rumble of heavy machines which gives me hope that I will come out alive." |
| At the scene: Shaimaa Khalil, BBC News, Lahore | At the scene: Shaimaa Khalil, BBC News, Lahore |
| Layer upon layer of bricks, concrete and mangled metal rods is what remains of the four-storey factory. | Layer upon layer of bricks, concrete and mangled metal rods is what remains of the four-storey factory. |
| In the gaps between the piles of rubble you can see bits of machinery, and piles of plastic strips used for the shopping bags the factory made. | In the gaps between the piles of rubble you can see bits of machinery, and piles of plastic strips used for the shopping bags the factory made. |
| Looking at the destruction it's very hard to imagine how anyone could still be alive under there. But a rescue worker I spoke to said he could hear voices and movement and told me there is still hope some people could be pulled out alive. | Looking at the destruction it's very hard to imagine how anyone could still be alive under there. But a rescue worker I spoke to said he could hear voices and movement and told me there is still hope some people could be pulled out alive. |
| Relatives of the victims have gathered outside the factory premises. Some have been waiting for hours to hear about their loved ones. | Relatives of the victims have gathered outside the factory premises. Some have been waiting for hours to hear about their loved ones. |
| A mother told me her four sons were working at the factory when it collapsed - three were injured and pulled out, but another is still trapped. | |
| Cranes and bulldozers are being used and the army is assisting in the rescue efforts. | Cranes and bulldozers are being used and the army is assisting in the rescue efforts. |
| About 200 labourers are thought to have been in the building at the time of the incident, according to Jam Sajjad Hussain, a spokesman for the rescue services. | About 200 labourers are thought to have been in the building at the time of the incident, according to Jam Sajjad Hussain, a spokesman for the rescue services. |
| Other estimates in the Pakistani media have put the figure closer to 150 people. | Other estimates in the Pakistani media have put the figure closer to 150 people. |
| Mr Hussain told the BBC that 98 people had been pulled out alive and many were then taken to hospital. | Mr Hussain told the BBC that 98 people had been pulled out alive and many were then taken to hospital. |
| He said it was difficult to know exactly how many people were still trapped because the owner and administrative employees were among those inside the building. | He said it was difficult to know exactly how many people were still trapped because the owner and administrative employees were among those inside the building. |
| The army has said that it is deploying a team of engineers and experts to take part in the rescue. | The army has said that it is deploying a team of engineers and experts to take part in the rescue. |
| In September last year at least 24 people were killed in Lahore when the roof of a mosque collapsed. | In September last year at least 24 people were killed in Lahore when the roof of a mosque collapsed. |
| At least 17 people - including children - were killed in a factory collapse following a gas explosion in a residential area of the city in February 2012. | At least 17 people - including children - were killed in a factory collapse following a gas explosion in a residential area of the city in February 2012. |
| Are you in Lahore? Did you witness the factory collapse? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story. | Are you in Lahore? Did you witness the factory collapse? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |