Bangladesh factory building collapses, killing 161

SAVAR, Bangladesh -- Rescuers tried to free dozens of people believed trapped in the rubble after an eight-story building that housed garment factories collapsed. The death toll rose throughout the night.

Bangladesh authorities say the number of dead climbed to 161 early Thursday. A total of 2,000 people had been rescued from the wreckage, said Shamsul Haque, junior minister for home affairs.

Workers had complained about cracks in the structure before it came tumbling down Wednesday, but they were assured it was safe.

Searchers cut holes in slabs of concrete with drills or their bare hands, passing water, whistles and flashlights to those pinned inside the building near Bangladesh's capital of Dhaka.

"I heard them cry. We can't leave them behind this way," said fire official Abul Khayer. Rescue operations illuminated by floodlights continued through the night.

An enormous section of the structure appeared to have splintered like twigs. Sheets of fabric were tied to upper floors so those inside could climb or slide down and escape.

Tens of thousands of people gathered at the site, weeping and searching for relatives.

The disaster came less than five months after a factory fire killed 112 people and spotlighted unsafe conditions in Bangladesh's garment industry.

Workers said they hesitated to go to into the building Wednesday morning because large cracks formed a day earlier, drawing attention from local news channels. Abdur Rahim said a factory manager gave assurances that there was no problem. "After about an hour or so, the building collapsed suddenly," he said.