- Title: 16 killed in Pakistan chemical factory fire
- Date: 27th August 2021
- Summary: KARACHI, PAKISTAN (AUGUST 27, 2021) (REUTERS) BODY COVERED IN SHEET INSIDE AMBULANCE / AMBULANCE DRIVING OFF VARIOUS OF RESCUE WORKERS SEARCHING FOR BODIES AND SURVIVORS RESCUER ON CRANE ATTACHING TO WINDOW OF FACTORY RESCUE WORKERS GATHERED NEAR AMBULANCE (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) OPERATION HEAD OF EDHI RESCUE, SAAD EDHI, SAYING: "After the fire brigade arrived, we tried to enter the factory by breaking this window (pointing) then as the firefighters were extinguishing fire, we entered the factory from another side also, successfully. We have pulled out some dead bodies from here (through the window), the other from inside the factory through the staircase. We have taken out about seventeen to eighteen bodies so far and the search operation is underway." SMOKE COMING OUT OF FACTORY WINDOWS FIRE ENGINE AND RESCUERS CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, MOBIN AHMED, TALKING TO MAN (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, MOBIN AHMED, SAYING: "As soon as we reached here, we tried to take people out but there were grills on windows on the first floor. Then the rescuers went to the rooftop but the staircase was locked. Then again they came to the windows where grills were there. They broke the grills and walls and took the people out but they had died of suffocation by then. The rescue is underway." FIRE ENGINES VARIOUS OF AMBULANCES OUTSIDE HOSPITAL MORGUE COVERED BODY INSIDE AMBULANCE
- Embargoed: 10th September 2021 16:18
- Keywords: 16 killed Karachi Pakistan chemical factory fire
- Location: KARACHI, PAKISTAN
- City: KARACHI, PAKISTAN
- Country: Pakistan
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Disaster/Accidents,Fires
- Reuters ID: LVA003ES206RR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: At least 16 people were killed in a factory fire on Friday (August 27) in Pakistan's largest city and financial hub, Karachi, raising questions about the industrial safety in a country not new to such accidents.
The fire broke out at a multi-story chemical factory in the eastern part of the city, and most windows of the factory were blocked, police and fire officials said.
Many factory workers died after being trapped on the second floor in the fire, which broke out on the ground floor of the three-story factory.
Over 260 workers were burnt alive when a multi-storey garment factory was set on fire in September 2012 in what became the deadliest industrial blaze in Pakistan's history.
Blazes and accidents are common in South Asia's factories, many of which operate illegally and without proper fire safety measures.
(Production: Shahabuddin Shahab) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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