The collapse of a building in the industrial area of Savar town on the suburbs of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, killing over 300 people is really heart-rending. Buildings in Bangladeshi cities are increasingly becoming death traps. The collapse of an eight-storied building highlights dismal safety standards in the country’s garment industry.

In this particular building collapse, large cracks had appeared a day before the disaster. A bank and a market housed in the complex decided to close and send employees home, but several garment workshops ignored the danger. Is it a case of complete negligence and absolute indifference to people’s lives?

The Bangladesh government should launch an immediate countrywide safety inspections of all clothing factories, industrial units and public buildings. The government should also bring to justice who are directly or indirectly responsible for the disaster. — Shaukat Naeem Ghumman, Riyadh