Philippine factory fire: Death toll 72


2015-05-14 12:44:27

NEWS CENTER (DİHA) - The death toll in a fire that destroyed a shoe factory in the Philippine capital has risen to 72, officials say.

Police have vowed to take swift action against those responsible, amid workers' claims of poor health and safety standards. Police say the fire started when sparks from welding work ignited flammable chemicals near the building's entrance. The Philippines has lax safety standards and large fires are relatively common, particularly in slum areas.

Wednesday's fire spread quickly and a few people escaped. Many more were trapped on the second floor of the building, where, according to survivors, iron grills on windows prevented their escape. Most of the victims are thought to have suffocated in thick black smoke from burning rubber and chemicals.

The owner of the factory, which is operated by Kentex Manufacturing and produces rubber flip flops and sandals, said about 200 to 300 people were inside the building at the time of the fire.

Survivors and relatives of the victims told the news agency that factory employees worked for below minimum wage, surrounded by chemicals, and unaware of fire safety standards.

The process of identifying the bodies will take time, officials warn, as fingerprints can no longer be used to identify the charred remains of the victims. The factory is in the rundown district of Valenzuela in the north of the capital.

(nt)