10 dead in Bangladesh garment factory explosion

DHAKA – The Associated Press

A boiler explosion at a garment factory in Bangladesh owned by export-oriented Multifabs Ltd. has killed 10 people and injured 50, officials said on July 4.

Local police chief Aminul Islam said the explosion took place on Monday evening at Kashimpur area in Gazipur district, outside the capital, Dhaka. By afternoon on July 4, 10 deaths had been reported.

Islam said the search for more victims was ongoing. It was not clear how many remained missing. According to relatives, some six people were missing.

The injured were being treated at hospitals, Islam said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion. Authorities have ordered an investigation.

Relatives waited outside the four-story building Tuesday for news on their loved ones as firefighters searched for victims.

According to the company’s website, it produces about 140,000 pieces of knitted apparel a day for export.

Bangladesh has about 4,000 garment factories and is the world’s second-largest producer after China. The country has improved its factory safety standards after the collapse of a complex housing five factories killed more than 1,100 people in 2013. But experts say many factories still need to upgrade their machinery and increase building safety.