With few hundred more believed to be trapped inside, rescuers fear the death toll may rise significantly. Most of the victims who have been rescued from under the debris in the afternoon are dead, reported our correspondents from the spot. “The building might have collapsed due to faulty construction,” said Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir. The minister visited the spot around 1:40pm, nearly five-hour after the building collapsed.
He also said that the government would bring the culprits to justice after probing the incident.
Muhiuddin also expressed sympathy to the family members of the victims and assured them of taking all responsibilities of their treatment.
There are at least 57 bodies at Enam Medical College and Hospital in Savar where the injured and dead victims were rushed, our correspondent reported quoting the chief medical officer of the hospital.
Fire fighters and army personnel joined police and volunteers to rescue those trapped under the debris.
Following the collapse, the BNP-led 18-party alliance at first relaxed their hartal in Savar and eventually called off their 36-hour countrywide shutdown nearly two-hour before its ending.