19 killed in Pak factory bldg collapse

Pakistani rescuers have pulled more than 100 survivors from the rubble of a collapsed factory and are searching for dozens of others believed still trapped in a disaster that has killed at least 19, officials said Thursday, reports AFP from Lahore.
Soldiers and rescuers in Lahore were carefully cutting through steel and using cranes to lift the debris of the building in a bid to find people still alive, with survivors telling AFP that many of the workers had been children.
Medics had to amputate one man’s leg on the site before rushing him to hospital.
“One of his legs was trapped in such a way that it was not possible to retrieve him with both legs,” an official who did not want to be named told AFP. “We had no other option.”
One worker still trapped in the rubble told SAMAA TV early Thursday that he is pinned under a girder, but alive and feeling thirsty.
Families on the scene were struggling to reach the site, crying and at times scuffling with police and soldiers holding them back. “I have to go there, even if they are going to shoot me,” one elderly man said. It was unclear how many people were in the building when it collapsed or how many—dead or alive—may still be trapped. Officials have put the total number of those involved at around 150-200.
Rescue services spokesman Jam Sajjad Hussain said it was “difficult” to give a specific number, but said workers had told officials that around 200 people had been inside at the time of collapse, including the owner, though it was unconfirmed.
“Rescue work is ongoing and I fear that the death toll may increase,” he said.

19 killed in Pak factory bldg collapse

Pakistani rescuers have pulled more than 100 survivors from the rubble of a collapsed factory and are searching for dozens of others believed still trapped in a disaster that has killed at least 19, officials said Thursday, reports AFP from Lahore. Soldiers and rescuers in Lahore were carefully cutting through steel and using cranes to lift the debris of the building in a bid to find people still alive, with survivors telling AFP that many of the workers had been children. Medics had to amputate one mans leg on the site before rushing him to hospital. One of his legs was trapped in such a way that it was not possible to retrieve him with both legs, an official who did not want to be named told AFP. We had no other option. One worker still trapped in the rubble told SAMAA TV early Thursday that he is pinned under a girder, but alive and feeling thirsty. Families on the scene were struggling to reach the site, crying and at times scuffling with police and soldiers holding them back. I have to go there, even if they are going to shoot me, one elderly man said. It was unclear how many people were in the building when it collapsed or how manydead or alivemay still be trapped. Officials have put the total number of those involved at around 150-200. Rescue services spokesman Jam Sajjad Hussain said it was difficult to give a specific number, but said workers had told officials that around 200 people had been inside at the time of collapse, including the owner, though it was unconfirmed. Rescue work is ongoing and I fear that the death toll may increase, he said.