Bangladesh factory owner didn’t know he needed emergency exits

The owner of a Bangladesh clothing factory where a fire killed 120 people says that he was never told that the facility needed an emergency exit, according to reports.

His comments show how "far removed" the nation's garment industry is from knowledge of worker safety issues, the Associated Press reported.

"It was my fault. But nobody told me that there was no emergency exit, which could be made accessible from outside," factory owner Delwar Hossain told The Daily Star.

More from GlobalPost: Deadly Bangladesh factory fire (PHOTOS)

"Nobody even advised me to install one like that, apart from the existing ones." He added later: "I could have done it. But nobody ever suggested that I do it."

At least 120 workers died in the factory fire on Saturday night. Bangladesh is home to about 4,000 factories, many of which make products for major retailers. The factories are known for having little regard for worker safety.

On Wednesday, police in Bangladesh arrested three mid-level managers at Tazreen Fashions, the company that owns the factory, in connection with the fire. The company makes clothes for Wal-Mart, Sears, Disney and Sean Comb's ENYCE brand, among others. 

Help keep The World going strong!

The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.

Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.