Manila - The owners of a Philippine factory where 72 people died in a fire could face time in prison, a government task force said Saturday, vowing to punish anyone found responsible as anger grows over the tragedy.
The special inter-agency task force, including members from the national police, the fire-fighting service, the justice and health departments, have been given two weeks to finish their investigation, said spokesman Renato Marcial.
"Definitely, if someone deserves to be punished, they will be punished," he told AFP.
The blaze in a two-storey footwear factory in an industrial suburb of the Philippine capital on Wednesday has highlighted the unsafe working conditions for many in this poverty-stricken nation.
The fire started when sparks from a welder repairing a metal gate apparently ignited nearby chemicals.
Marcial said that the company, Kentex Manufacturing, should have had a special permit for such a dangerous welding job and its owners could face charges for safety lapses.
This could range from six months to six years in jail -- but, he said, the scale of the fatalities could result in more stringent punishment.
He said the investigation will be "complete, thorough and based on scientific findings".
AFP
