Bangladesh factory fire leaves at least 112 dead

DHAKA, Bangladesh – At least 112 people were killed in a fire that raced through a multistory garment factory just outside of Bangladesh’s capital, an official said today.

The blaze broke out at the seven-story factory operated by Tazreen Fashions late Saturday. By this morning, firefighters had recovered 100 bodies, fire department Operations Director Maj. Mohammad Mahbub told the Associated Press.

He said another 12 people who had suffered injuries after jumping from the building to escape the fire later died at hospitals.

The death toll could rise as the search for victims was continuing, he said.

Bangladesh has some 4,000 garment factories, many without proper safety measures. The country annually earns about $20 billion from exports of garment products.