The Savar Building Collapse Tragedy

[Gladiators]

LATEST: Media reports now saying death toll stands at 258

-Fire Services
-Police
-RAB
-Army
-BGB
-Red Crescent
-Scouts
-Volunteers

all involved in the rescue operation

Death toll crosses 100

At least 107 people were killed and over 600 injured in Savar on the outskirts of the capital Wednesday morning when a nine-storied building housing four garment factories collapsed.

With few hundred more believed to be trapped inside, rescuers fear the death toll may rise significantly.

http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/ne...of-casualties/

8 story commercial building - Rana Plaza(owned by Jubo League high up - Sohel Rana) - near Savar bus stand completely collapsed this morning. Building was closed by the authorities yesterday but owners ignored their directive and thus full of garments workers from a couple of garments. 15-20 dead so far, 100 injured, but also up to a hundred still trapped inside.

Army called in to help with the rescue work - BNP has been kind enough to call a press conference and announce a relaxing of the hartal in Savar.

UPDATE: Cracks appeared yesterday and building was closed down by the police and authorities indefinitely yesterday - Architects & Engineers from BUET were scheduled to inspect the building today. But the garments owners in collusion with the building owner forced workers to go to work this morning anyways.

Workers say they were forced to work this morning - http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/ne...orced-to-work/

BNP withdraws hartal in Dhaka, effectively immediately.

Media are now showing interviews with survivors and they are saying, the authorities told the building owner and business owners not to open the building for business until further notice. But the garments owners threatened the workers with expulsion, if they didn't go to work.

Local BRAC bank staff now being interviewed: He mentioned they were told by bank management to empty out their desks and offices. So, they didn't come to work and suffered no casualties.