Murder inquiry over factory fire deaths

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Pakistani police say they have registered a murder case against the owners and managers of a garment factory in the southern city of Karachi where a fire killed 258 people.

Under the law, registering a case is a required step before charges can be made against suspects, following a complete police investigation.

Senior officer Amir Farooqi said police were investigating the owners and managers because of reports that many of the factory's exit doors were locked at the time of the fire. Many escape routes were blocked with large bundles of cloth and basic safety regulations weren't followed.

Farooqi said police were also investigating government officials who failed to enforce fire safety regulations.

The fire broke out on Tuesday night and burned well into the next day.

- AP