Pakistan files murder case over Karachi factory blaze

KARACHI - Agence France-Presse

Pakistan yesterday registered murder charges against factory bosses and government officials over the deaths of 289 people in the country’s worst industrial disaster.

Workers were suffocated or burnt alive at the Ali Enterprises garment factory in Karachi, when a massive fire tore through on Sept. 11. Up to 600 people were working inside at the time, in a building that officials said was in poor condition without emergency exits, forcing dozens to jump from upper storeys to escape the fire, but trapping dozens in the basement where they perished.

“We have registered a murder case against the factory bosses and government officials for showing negligence to provide security to workers,” said Mohammad Nawaz Gondal, the head of the police. Police are hunting for the factory owners, who have not been seen since the fire.