100 die as Bangladesh building collapses

An eight-story building that housed garment factories and shops collapsed in Bangladesh yesterday, killing nearly 100 people and injuring more than 1,000.

About 2,000 people were believed to have been in the Rana Plaza building in Savar, 30km outside Dhaka, when its upper floors slammed onto those below. Last night news sources put the death toll at 96.

Firefighters and troops dug frantically through the rubble to reach survivors, many of whom were still trapped. Doctors at local hospitals said they were unable to cope with the number of victims brought in.