Shoe Factory Collapses in Cambodia

Today a building in Cambodia housing a shoe factory has collapsed, killing at least three people and injuring 11 others, reports WWD. The incident comes in the wake of recent tragedies in Bangladesh, most recently the April 24 fire and collapse of an apparel factory building that claimed the lives of 1,127 people.

The Japanese sporting goods company Asics had contracted the factory and is located on the outskirts of the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. an Asics spokeswoman has confirmed two deaths. Factory management in Cambodia declined to comment.

"We have confirmed that two people have died, and others will be grieving, so for now, we would like to offer our condolences," the Asics spokeswoman said, adding that it was possible the factory was also producing shoes for other brands.

"I'm standing in the factory right now and a portion of the ceiling has basically collapsed," said David Walsh, Cambodia director of the Solidarity Center, an AFL-CIO affiliate. "Two were killed on the scene and one died in hospital. It's a calamity. Where the garment industry goes, so do worker rights' abuses."

We will keep you posted as this story progresses.