Karachi factory fire: Death toll rises to 289

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KARACHI: The death toll in the garment factory fire in Baldia Town has risen to 289, raising fresh concerns about workplace safety, officials said Wednesday. Commissioner Karachi, Roshan Ali Skeikh while speaking to Geo News said the condition of the factory had deteriorated to such a point that it could collapse at any moment. Roshan added that the investigation report of the incident would be completed in three days. According to provincial health minister Dr. Sagheer Ahmed, 80 bodies were taken to Civil Hospital, 95 to Abbasi Hospital and 71 were taken to Jinnah Hospital. Abdus Salam, a doctor at Karachi's Civil Hospital, said 10 women garment makers were among the dead. "The bodies are badly charred. At least 65 other workers suffered broken bones after jumping out of windows to escape the flames," Salam added.