Manila: Fire rages through a footwear factory in the Philippine capital, Manila. At least 31 people have been killed. Factory workers say dozens more are missing.
Smokes coming out of Fire Factory
One factory worker said, “There was an explosion and a big fire, so we immediately rushed to the fire exit but some of our co-workers upstairs didn’t know of the fire down below so they couldn’t get down. They were trapped. I believe there were 70 of them.”
With the building still smouldering a day later anxious relatives of the missing waited outside for news.
Donisio Candido’s daughter is among those still unaccounted for and he fears the worst. He says, “I was hoping that if I saw the body I would be able to recognise her but when I saw the remains I couldn’t. No parent would recognise their child from the burned skeletons.”
Fifty-three workers were unaccounted for after the fire broke out on Wednesday.
Investigators are still trying to establish the cause although some workers say a spark from welding equipment could be to blame.
Ventuno