LAHORE: The death toll in Wednesday’s horrifying factory collapse in Sunder Estate climbed to 23 on Thursday.

Despite efforts being made by the army, Rescue 1122 and private agencies, it is feared that over 40 people are still trapped in the debris.

Rescue teams have now shifted their focus to the trapped people, fearing that the death toll might rise if their rescue was further delayed.

It is feared that over 40 people are still trapped in the debris

A spokesman for the Rescue 1122 told Dawn that of the 167 people trapped in the building, 109 had been rescued. Most of them had minor injuries.

He confirmed another five deaths.

He said chances of recovering the trapped people alive were bleak. “Because of poor access to the building, only 50 per cent of the debris had been removed so far”.

The spokesman said army officials had retrieved a register from the wreckage which showed attendance of 167 employees when the building collapsed.

The Lahore District Coordination Officer said the rescue operation could take another three days.

After heavy machinery from the Capital Development Authority, Islamabad, reached Sunder, experts launched canine search through sniffer dogs arranged by the army and Rescue 1122.

Investigators are looking for evidence of negligence on the part of the owner of the factory or the government department responsible for regulating industrial activities.

Multiple sources have confirmed that the accident could have been avoided had the owner heeded warnings.

Sources told Dawn that workers had warned the owner a few days ago about severe vibrations in the building when newly-installed machines were switched on.

On Wednesday, a witness said, workers again expressed their fears to the factory owner, but he took them inside the building to show that their apprehensions were unfounded.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2015

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