[reverse_swing]

It has emerged Bangladesh refused an offer of foreign help with the disaster which has claimed more than 380 lives.

Both the UK government and the United Nations have confirmed to the BBC that their offer of expert help in such emergencies was turned down by the Bangladeshi government.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the site and some of the victims in hospital, assuring them they would receive help from the government.

However, some relatives of those missing complained that she did not speak to them during her visit.

Analysis
Mark Doyle
BBC International Development Correspondent
It's unusual for countries to decline help when disaster strikes - whether they are rich or poor.

Hundreds of rescuers converged on Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, for example. They performed similar work to that needed in Bangladesh.

Japan, a far richer country, also accepted substantial help following its earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

Bangladesh's Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir said no help was needed because the local emergency services were well equipped.

This would appear to have been contradicted by the sometimes poorly-equipped volunteers scrabbling through the rubble and the apparent starting of a fire by people trying to cut their way through the building.

A senior diplomat with the UN's International Search and Rescue Advisory Group said an offer of help was made to Bangladesh very early on "because the lifesaving window of opportunity is in the first few days".

But, according to the diplomat, the Bangladesh government said it would manage the situation through domestic means.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22343620