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Power generators linked to Dhaka building collapse | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Four generators inside the Bangladesh garment factory building that collapsed last month may have caused the disaster, a top investigator says. | |
The units started up after a power cut, causing powerful vibrations throughout Rana Plaza, said Main Uddin Khandaker, head of a government inquiry team. | |
"Together with the vibration of thousands of sewing machines, they triggered the collapse," he told AFP. | "Together with the vibration of thousands of sewing machines, they triggered the collapse," he told AFP. |
At least 500 people are known to have died and scores are unaccounted for. | |
Bangladesh's worst industrial disaster has sparked widespread anger in the country. | |
Mr Khandaker told reporters that 15 minutes before the Rana Plaza collapsed on 24 April, it was affected by a power cut. This set the building's generators in motion, shaking the structure, he said. | |
The building was not able to cope with the vibrations because it had been constructed with weak materials, such as sub-standard steel rods, Mr Khandaker added. | |
Late on Thursday, Bangladeshi police detained an engineer, the ninth person to be taken into custody in connection with the disaster. | |
Abdur Razzak Khan acted as a consultant for Rana Plaza owner Mohammed Sohel Rana, who is accused of illegally adding more floors to the building. | |
Two other engineers are also in custody, along with Mr Rana, his father Abdul Khalek and four owners of garment factories that operated inside the building. |