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Bangladesh

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Bangladesh Main Page
The Formation of an Independent Bangladesh
Investigations into Governmental Corruption Begin
Rahman Becomes the Third President to Die in Office
Factory Building Collapses, Killing Hundreds

Factory Building Collapses, Killing Hundreds

On April 24, 2013, a large factory building in Dhaka collapsed and killed at least 900 workers. Hundreds more were missing in the building's rubble. Known as Rana Plaza, the factories within the building made clothing for European and American retailers such as JC Penny, Cato Fashions, Benetton and others. Bangladesh was second only to China as the world's leading garment exporter.

For five days, rescue teams worked to find survivors in the debris. A fire broke out within the rubble, making rescue efforts even more difficult. National outrage spread due to reports of Rana Plaza's poor condition prior to its collapse. Officers arrested the building's owner, Sohel Rana, who was found hiding near the border of India. When his capture was announced at the site of the collapsed building, the crowd cheered.

Rana Plaza employed more than 3,000 people. The building's collapse was considered the deadliest accident in the garment industry's history. It came just five months after a major fire at a similar factory building. That fire, in November 2012, killed 112 employees and, at the time, several retailers promised to maintain the safety of the factories which manufactured their goods.

See also Encyclopedia: Bangladesh .
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes: Bangladesh
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics www.bbsgov.org