Dozens feared dead in Bangladeshi factory blaze

AP - A devastating blaze raced through a multistory garment factory near Bangladesh's capital on Tuesday, killing as many as 20 people and injuring more than 100, an official and news reports said.

Fire official Golam Mostafa said by phone the fire broke out in a 10-story factory owned by local business giant Hameem Group in Ashulia industrial zone just outside Dhaka. He said many casualties were feared.

Diganta television reported at least 20 people died and more than 100 were
injured in the fire.  ATN News said rescuers recovered at least 11 bodies.

Mostafa said army soldiers joined the rescue operation. Bangladesh has about 4,000 garment factories that export more than $10 billion worth of products a year, mainly to the United States and Europe.

Recent protests by low-paid garment workers have gripped the country. Workers demanding the implementation of a new minimum wage clashed with police at an industrial zone in southeastern Bangladesh on Sunday, leaving up to three people dead and 100 hurt.