Middle East

Bahrain to probe deadly labour camp fire

Investigation called for after 13 people killed in three-storey building that caught fire at camp in capital Manama.
Last Modified: 12 Jan 2013 10:27

Officials in Bahrain have opened an investigation into the cause of fire that killed 13 people in a labor camp.

The official Bahrain News Agency said on Saturday the public prosecutor's office is leading the probe into Friday's blaze in the capital Manama.

The report Saturday said fire collapsed the roof of the three-story building used to house workers.

Special compounds for migrant laborers are common across the Gulf. For years, rights groups have pressed for better living conditions for the mostly South Asian workers.

Hundreds of thousands of foreign labourers work in the island kingdom, one of six oil-producing Gulf Arab states that rely heavily on foreign labour.

One firefighter was injured and several people were rescued from the fire the official said. 

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