This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20522593
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Bangladesh arrests three over deadly factory fire | Bangladesh arrests three over deadly factory fire |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Police in Bangladesh have arrested three supervisors from a clothing factory in which more than 100 people died during a fire. | Police in Bangladesh have arrested three supervisors from a clothing factory in which more than 100 people died during a fire. |
They say the supervisors are accused of stopping workers from leaving the building and of padlocking exits. | They say the supervisors are accused of stopping workers from leaving the building and of padlocking exits. |
Meanwhile, thousands of garment workers staged fresh protests outside Dhaka, demanding higher safety standards. | Meanwhile, thousands of garment workers staged fresh protests outside Dhaka, demanding higher safety standards. |
Government officials say preliminary information suggests the fire was an act of sabotage. | Government officials say preliminary information suggests the fire was an act of sabotage. |
The government has opened two inquiries. | The government has opened two inquiries. |
Police say the supervisors told panicked workers at the Tazreen Fashion factory that the fire on Saturday night was just a drill and they had nothing to worry about. | Police say the supervisors told panicked workers at the Tazreen Fashion factory that the fire on Saturday night was just a drill and they had nothing to worry about. |
"All three are mid-level managers of Tazreen. Survivors told us they did not allow the workers to escape the fire, saying it was a routine fire drill," city police chief Habibur Rahman told AFP news agency. | "All three are mid-level managers of Tazreen. Survivors told us they did not allow the workers to escape the fire, saying it was a routine fire drill," city police chief Habibur Rahman told AFP news agency. |
"There are also allegations that they even padlocked doors," he added. | "There are also allegations that they even padlocked doors," he added. |
On Wednesday, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse thousands of workers in the Ashulia industrial area, just outside the Bangladeshi capital. | On Wednesday, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse thousands of workers in the Ashulia industrial area, just outside the Bangladeshi capital. |
"We were forced to react as they started pelting officers with stones," local police official Moktar Hossain said. | "We were forced to react as they started pelting officers with stones," local police official Moktar Hossain said. |
The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in Dhaka says there has been growing public anger over the fire, and the industrial suburbs around the capital are tense. | |
Many factories have declared Wednesday a holiday fearing large-scale labour unrest. | Many factories have declared Wednesday a holiday fearing large-scale labour unrest. |
Some workers also vandalised factories and set fire to motorcycles, injuring at least 20 people, the online edition of the Daily Star reported. | Some workers also vandalised factories and set fire to motorcycles, injuring at least 20 people, the online edition of the Daily Star reported. |
On Tuesday, Bangladesh declared a day of mourning for the victims. | On Tuesday, Bangladesh declared a day of mourning for the victims. |
The burnt-out nine-storey factory supplied clothes to a variety of international brands including US retail giant Walmart. | The burnt-out nine-storey factory supplied clothes to a variety of international brands including US retail giant Walmart. |
Walmart says the factory had been sub-contracted without its knowledge. It said it was cutting ties with its supplier without naming the firm. | Walmart says the factory had been sub-contracted without its knowledge. It said it was cutting ties with its supplier without naming the firm. |
Labels from the European chain C&A, Hong Kong's Li & Fung and the US rapper and actor Sean "Diddy" Combs were also found in the factory. | Labels from the European chain C&A, Hong Kong's Li & Fung and the US rapper and actor Sean "Diddy" Combs were also found in the factory. |
The clothing industry is the backbone of the Bangladeshi economy, with exports last year alone worth more than $19bn (£12bn). | The clothing industry is the backbone of the Bangladeshi economy, with exports last year alone worth more than $19bn (£12bn). |
Fatal fires are common in Bangladesh's garment sector with lax safety standards, poor wiring and overcrowding blamed for causing several blazes every year. | Fatal fires are common in Bangladesh's garment sector with lax safety standards, poor wiring and overcrowding blamed for causing several blazes every year. |
Previous version
1
Next version