Dozens found alive as Bangladesh tragedy toll hits 272

Dozens of workers were found alive Thursday as they huddled in the wreckage of a collapsed garment factory block in Bangladesh, a rare success for rescuers who have pulled out 272 bodies.

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Update: Earlier today the death toll had reached 272.

Volunteers on Thursday use a length of textile as a slide to move dead victims recovered from the rubble after a garment-making factory collapsed in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka. The death toll in the Bangladesh's worst industrial disaster has now reached 272. AFP PHOTO/Munir uz ZAMAN

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Dozens found alive as Bangladesh tragedy toll hits 256

Dozens of workers were found alive Thursday as they huddled in the wreckage of a collapsed garment factory block in Bangladesh, a rare success for rescuers who have pulled out 256 bodies.

In an announcement greeted by wild applause from thousands of relatives at the scene, an army spokesman initially announced that 40 survivors had been discovered together in a room, but the figure was later revised to 24.

Screams filtering through the cracks in the concrete suggested more survivors were awaiting help, but a steady stream of bodies saw the recorded death toll almost double on Thursday and hundreds remain unaccounted for.

Working with floodlights and hand torches, rescuers crawled through the cracks and pulled out three woman garment workers alive from the rubble at 11.30pm Bangladesh time (1730GMT), fire service director Mahbubur Rahman said.

"We've also located several pockets inside the wreckage where many people are still trapped. We could hear their screams. They're given food, water and oxygen," he told AFP, adding around 1,500 people so far have been rescued alive.

The collapse of the building on Wednesday on the outskirts of the capital is the worst industrial accident in the country's history.

It prompted new criticism of Western brands who were accused by activists of placing profit before safety by sourcing their products from the country despite its shocking track record of deadly disasters.

Survivors said the building developed visible cracks on Tuesday evening, but factory bosses had demanded staff return to the production lines despite a police evacuation order.

One manager for the New Wave Styles company, one of the five manufacturers in the building, told how the owner had consulted an engineer but then ignored his warnings.

"Those who're involved, especially the owner who forced the workers to work there, will be punished," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told lawmakers. "Wherever he is, he will be found and brought to justice." AFP

volunteer – someone who is not paid for the work that they do อาสาสมัคร
textile – woven or knitted cloth สิ่งทอ, ผ้า
slide – a structure with a steep slope for sliding down รางเลื่อน
victim – someone who has been affected by a bad situation, such as a disaster, illness or an accident เหยื่อผู้เคราะห์ร้าย
recover – to get something back that has been lost or stolen ได้กลับคืนมา
rubble – broken pieces of stone and brick from building, walls, etc., that have been destroyed ซากปรักหักพัง
garment – a piece of clothing เสื้อผ้า, เครื่องแต่งกาย
collapsed – fell down suddenly  ล้ม ทิ้งตัวลง
outskirts – the areas at the edge of a city  ชานเมือง
death toll – the number of people killed ยอดผู้เสียชีวิต
disaster – an unexpected event, such as a very bad accident, a flood or a fire, that kills a lot of people or causes a lot of damage ภัยพิบัติ ความหายนะ
tragedy – a very sad event that causes people to suffer or die โศกนาฏกรรม
huddled – gathered close together กอดกันกลม
wreckage – the parts of a vehicle or building that remain after it has been severely damaged ซากตึกบ้านเรือนที่ถูกทำลาย
block – a building containing many different sections or apartments
rare – not happening very often เกิดขึ้นได้ยาก
rescuer – a person who saves someone from a dangerous or unpleasant situation ผู้ช่วยชีวิต
applause – showing enjoyment or approval of something such as a performance or speech by clapping the hands repeatedly to make a noise การปรบมือแสดงความชื่นชม
relative – a member of your family ญาติพี่น้อง
scene – site; a place where something happens or happened สถานที่เกิดเหตุ
initially – at first ในเบื้องต้น
survivor – someone who still exists after an event that could have killed or destroyed them ผู้รอดชีวิต
figure – a number representing a particular amount, especially one given in official information ตัวเลข, จำนวนเลข
revise – to change, improve, or make additions to something แก้ไข
scream – to cry or say something loudly and usually on a high note, especially because of strong emotions such as fear, excitement or anger กรีดร้อง
filter – to pass something through รั่วไหล
crack – a line on a surface where something is beginning to break apart รอยแตก  รอยร้าว
steady – staying at the same level, speed, value etc ไม่เปลี่ยนแปลง, สม่ำเสมอ
stream – to cause a continuous flow of something ไหลต่อเนื่อง
double – to become twice as big, twice as much or twice as many เพิ่มเป็นสองเท่า
unaccounted for – a person or thing that cannot be found and people do not know what has happened to them or it ซึ่งหายไป
floodlight – a very strong light that is used for lighting a public building or sports event at night ฉายแสงไฟที่สว่างจ้าไปทั่วสนามหรือนอกบริเวณอาคาร
torch – a small electric lamp that uses batteries and that you can hold in your hand ไฟฉาย
crawl – to move along the ground on your hands and knees or with your body close to the ground คลาน
pocket – an empty space
trapped – to be in a dangerous or unpleasant situation from which it is difficult or impossible to escape ถูกกับดัก
prompt – to cause someone to take action กระตุ้น
criticism – comments that show that you think something is wrong or bad การวิจารณ์
brand – a type of product made by a particular company ตรา, ยี่ห้อ
activist – someone who takes part in activities that are intended to achieve political or social change, especially someone who is a member of an organisation นักกิจกรรม
profit – money that you make from selling goods and services after all your costs have been paid กำไร
source – to get something from a particular place ได้จาก
track record – (your reputation what people think of you), based on the things that you have done ภาพรวมของผลงานที่ผ่านมาซึ่งเป็นที่รับรู้
visible – able to be seen ที่มองเห็นได้
evacuation – moving people from a place of danger to a safer place การอพยพ
consult – to ask for information or advice from someone หารือ
ignore – to intentionally not listen or give attention to ทำเพิกเฉย
warning – an action or statement telling someone of a possible problem or danger คำเตือน, การเตือน
involved – taking part or having a role in something เกี่ยวข้อง
bring to justice – to put someone on trial in a court of law นำตัวมาดำเนินคดีตามกฎหมาย