Death Toll Rises to at Least 340 in Bangladesh Bldg. Collapse

SAVAR, Bangladesh (AP) — Rescue workers today brought another 19 survivors out of the rubble of a collapsed building in Bangladesh where at least 340 people died. They vow to keep working despite fading hopes.

 

Meanwhile, police have detained five people in connection with the collapse of the shoddily-constructed building that housed garment factories.

Among those taken into custody is the wife of the building owner, who is on the run, in an attempt to force him to surrender. Violent public protests continued sporadically.

A fire official says there are still more trapped survivors.

Rescuers passed bottles of water and small cylinders of oxygen up a ladder leaning against the side of the building to be given to possible survivors inside.

A military spokesman says 2,419 survivors are accounted for, including the latest 19.