Primark Issues Statement On Bangladesh Factory Collapse, Death Toll Rises To 340 Workers

Clothing manufacturer Primark (known as Penneys in Ireland)have released a statement regarding the factory building collapse in Bangladesh. The statement was posted to the Irish Facebook fan page for Penneys on Thursday.

The company said it is "shocked and deeply saddened by the appalling incident" and confirmed that they did occupy one floor of the building.

Primark said they have worked with NGOs for years to review the country's approach tot he workplace's health and safety standards.

At least 340 people are known to have died as the eight-storey concrete building fell in on itself on Wednesday morning.

Rescue workers have since pulled 19 survivors from the rubble and police in Bangladesh have taken five people into custody in connection to the collapse of the "shoddily constructed" building, ABC News reports.

It was the worst tragedy to hit Bangladesh's massive garment industry, an industry that typically pays employees €30 a month to produce clothing for top international brands.

The owner of the building is still on the run.