Lord have mercy….
The UK Sun Reports;
AT least 160 people were killed yesterday after a factory that makes clothes for Primark collapsed.
More than a thousand were hurt when the eight-storey building crumbled to the ground in Bangladesh.
Its feared the death toll will rise because 2,000 people were inside the Ranza Plaza building on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka at the time.
Children could be among them because the firm runs creches for women workers on three of the floors.
Some of the garments made at the factory are sold in budget clothes favourite Primark’s stores across the UK.
The factory also supplied Matalan up until February.
Firemen and soldiers were last night scouring the rubble for survivors.
Rescuers could hear cries for help from workers trapped still inside.
A day of mourning has been declared today by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Building collapses are common in Bangladesh because many are built flouting regulations.
Cracks were first spotted on Tuesday and cops ordered for it to be evacuated.
But employees turned up work on Wednesday before being engulfed by tumbling masonry.
Survivor Shaheena Akhter, 23, said: “Some of us did not want to work fearing something might happen.
“But the garment factory people told us that we had to join our work otherwise we will lose our jobs.”
A Primark spokesman said: “The company is shocked and deeply saddened by this appalling incident at Savar, near Dhaka, and expresses its condolences to all of those involved.
“Primark confirms that one of its suppliers occupied the second floor of the eight storey building, which housed several suppliers to the garment industry making clothing for a number of brands.”
He added: “Primark has been engaged for several years with NGOs and other retailers to review the Bangladeshi industry’s approach to factory standards. Primark will push for this review to also include building integrity.
“Meanwhile Primark’s ethical trade team is at this moment working to collect information, assess which communities the workers come from, and to provide support where possible.”
A spokesman for Matalan said one of the companies based their supply to them.
He said: “We can confirm that New Wave has been a supplier to Matalan although we don’t have any current production with them.
“We are deeply saddened by the news and we have been trying to get in touch with our contacts since we heard to check if we are able to assist.”
A blaze at a garment factory in another Dhaka suburb killed some 110 people last November – and sparked a massive public outcry over lax safety standards.
It led many Western clothing firms whose garments are made in Bangladesh to urge local factory owners to improve working conditions.
At least 25 people lost their lives in 2010 when a four-storey building in the city fell down, with many more left injured.
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This is what happens when greedy pigs don’t want to invest in better stuff and always going for cheap labour I hope the authority steps on and deal with companies like primark that are making a huge turnover weekly
Oh hmmm sad one may their souls rest un peace. Now primark is going to be expenssive cos if reduction in production ohhh hmmm no more primark clothes ppl go to HNM