Dhaka building collapse toll 191

Dhaka (IANS): The toll in the building collapse on the outskirts of this Bangladesh capital went up to 191 on Thursday as rescuers pulled out more bodies from under the rubble while feverishly responding to pitiful cries for help from those still trapped. The building, "Rana Plaza", collapsed around 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday and since then rescuers have been desperately trying to reach those still buried under the debris. Fire Services director Mahbubur Rahman said 1,600 people had so far been rescued. Most of the rescued people were injured and were rushed to the hospitals, he said. Officials say the rescue operation in the building which housed four garment factories, a bank's branch and hundreds of shops has been continuing without any break since Wednesday morning, reported Xinhua. A girl was rescued from the building by cutting her hand that was trapped under the wreckage. Survivors are still pleading for help as an overpowering stench of dead bodies and dust enveloped the area. "A pillar has fallen over me. Please someone save me. Cut my hands to free me," Daily Star qouted Aftab, a trapped man, as saying in a heart-wrenching tone. He said there are three more people near him who are alive.