Rescue workers try to retrieve the trapped workers at the debris of a collapsed factory building some 25 km west of Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, April 11, 2005. The nine-storey building collapsed following a boiler explosion that morning and several hundred of workers were trapped within the debris of the building. At least 12 bodies have been dug out already and more than 60 wounded sent to hospital. (Xinhua Photo)

Rescue workers try to retrieve the trapped workers at the debris of a collapsed factory building some 25 km west of Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, April 11, 2005. (Xinhua photo)

    BEIJING, April 12 --  Eighteen bodies have been dragged out of rubbles, but hundreds of garment workers are feared dead after a nine-story building collapsed on Monday morning in Bangladesh.

    The building housing the Shahriar Garments factory was on a full night shift while collapsed believed following the explosion of a boiler in the building.

    Rescuers dug out 18 bodies so far with poor equipment. Bangladesh Army, police and elite force the Rapid Action Battalion joined the rescue operation, who also dug out 60 people alive out of the rubbles of the building.

    Prime Minister Khaleda Zia visited the site of the building and asked the authorities concerned to gear the rescue operation of the trapped factory workers. President Prof Iajuddain Ahmed also condoled the death of the workers.

    The building was constructed in a marsh land, which angered the State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar. Babar said the owner must be brought to book for such negligence. 

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)