Bangladesh building collapse toll climbs to 700

The officials, said they still expect more bodies from the debris of the illegally constructed Rana Plaza building

The death in the worst-ever industrial disaster in Bangladesh rose to nearly 700 as rescuers today pulled out 18 more decomposed bodies from the debris of the ill-fated eight-storey building that toppled down last month.

Officials at the army control room, which is opened to provide information on the tragedy, said with the fresh recovery, the death toll from the deadly building collapse soared to 697.

The officials, according to local media, said they still expect more bodies from the debris of the illegally constructed Rana Plaza building as many have remained missing.

The building in Savar near the capital Dhaka that housed five garment factories collapsed on April 24, trapping over 3,000 people.

Police have charged the building owner Sohel Rana and five factory owners with causing deaths due to negligence and violating construction laws, charges punishable by a maximum seven years in jail.

According to police, the building owner illegally added three floors and allowed the factories to install generators.