MOSCOW, November 25 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over a fire at a clothes factory that claimed the lives of over 100 people, the Kremlin press office reported on Sunday.
The fire broke out on the first floor of the nine-storey building operated by Tazreen Fashions on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka late on Saturday. The blaze quickly engulfed the building, forcing many workers to jump from the factory’s upper floors to escape the raging fire before firefighters arrived.
At least 121 people were killed and scores of others injured in the fire, according to the local fire-fighting service.
“The head of state asked to convey the words of deep compassion for the victims’ relatives and wished the quickest recovery for those injured in the incident,” the press office said.
Bangladesh’s clothes industry, the second largest exporter of garments after China, has a poor fire safety record, with several deadly fires occurring every year.