Rescue teams in Bangladesh discovered dozens of people alive in rubble of the collapsed Rana Plaza building on Friday, just one day before officials plan to change the rescue effort to a recovery operation. An official said 50 people were found trapped on what had been the third floor of the eight-story building. As rescuers worked to reach them, teams dropped food and water to where they were tapped.
Meanwhile, rescuers were able to free a woman who had given birth while trapped under the rubble. A fire services official said the infant was also recovered alive. No other details on their condition were available.
The death toll rose to 307 on Friday. According to Inter Service Public Relations Director Shaheenul Islam, a total of 2,375 people have been rescued so far. About 595 people remain missing. The families of the missing gathered near the rubble on Friday to demand the rescue effort be extended past 72 hours. State-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reports police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Rana Plaza, located in Savar, housed about 300 stores, 5 garment factories and a bank. The building collapsed Wednesday, one day after workers reported seeing cracks in the structure. Factory owners say they were told by the owners of the building that cracks in the structure were not a safety concern.
Rana Plaza owners and the factory owners have been ordered to appear in court on April 30. Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir says the building was “not built in compliance with the (safety) rules and regulations.” "Stern legal actions will be taken against the people who built the structure defying the codes or laws,” he said.
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