41 face death penalty after being charged over Bangladesh factory collapse

Murder charges have been filed against 41 people over the 2013 collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh that killed more than 1,100 people. Those charged over the country’s worst ever industrial disaster include the owner of the Rana Plaza factory - Sohel Rana, 35. All face the death penalty if convicted. Among the others on the charge sheet are seven owners of the individual factories housed in the complex, and 12 government officials who were responsible for safety and building inspections.

It is the biggest industrial disaster in Bangladesh’s history. And all 41 of them have collective responsibility for this mass killing of more than 1,100 innocent people.

Lead investigator Bijoy Krishna Kar

Survivors claimed that Rana forced thousands of workers to enter the compound at the start of the working day in April 2013, despite complaints about cracks appearing in the walls. He was later arrested on the western border with India as he tried to flee the country. He, along with 17 others, have also been charged with violating the building code. It is claimed that a six-storey structure - which was initially approved as a shopping centre - was turned into the nine-story factory complex without permission. The disaster led to sweeping reforms including new safety inspections and higher wages.

Rana Plaza Asia-Pacific