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Texas launches criminal probe into plant explosion |
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Written by ANGELA K. BROWN & RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI, Associated Press
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Friday, 10 May 2013 15:04 |
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WACO, Texas (AP) — Texas law enforcement officials on Friday launched a criminal investigation into the massive fertilizer plant explosion that killed 14 people last month, after weeks of largely treating the blast as an industrial accident.
The announcement came the same day that a paramedic who helped to evacuate residents the night of the explosion was arrested on a charge of possessing a destructive device, though it is not clear whether the charge is related to the April 17 blast at West Fertilizer Co.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a Friday statement that the agency had instructed the Texas Rangers and the McLennan County Sheriff's Department to conduct a criminal probe into the explosion.
"This disaster has severely impacted the community of West, and we want to ensure that no stone goes unturned and that all the facts related to this incident are uncovered," DPS Director Steven McCraw said.
McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara said residents "must have confidence that this incident has been looked at from every angle and professionally handled — they deserve nothing less."
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Bangladesh workers find survivor in factory rubble |
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Written by JULHAS ALAM, Associated Press
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Friday, 10 May 2013 08:11 |
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DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A woman buried in the wreckage of a collapsed garment factory building for 17 days was rescued Friday, a miraculous moment set against a scene of unimaginable horror where the death toll is more than 1,000 and still rising.
The woman survived in a Muslim prayer room in the the eight-story Rana Plaza building, where crews have been focused on recovering bodies, not rescuing survivors, for days. Trapped in wreckage finally exposed by heavy equipment, she waved a pipe to attract attention.
The crews ordered the cranes and bulldozers to immediately stop work and used handsaws and welding and drilling equipment to cut through the iron rod and debris still trapping her. They gave her water, oxygen and saline as they worked to free her.
When the woman, whom soldiers identified as Reshma, was freed after 40 minutes, the crowd erupted in wild cheers. She appeared to be in remarkably good shape despite her ordeal, and was rushed to a military hospital in an ambulance.
Abdur Razzak, a warrant officer with the military's engineering department who first spotted her in the wreckage, said she could even walk.
"She was fine, no injuries. She was just trapped. The space was wide," said Lt. Col. Moyeen, an army official at the scene.
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Sea search ends for two Australian cruise passengers |
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Written by KRISTEN GELINEAU, Associated Press
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Friday, 10 May 2013 08:12 |
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SYDNEY (AP) — The cruise ship from which an Australian couple fell into the ocean had higher railings than required to prevent accidental falls, the cruise company said Friday as authorities called off the intense search for the pair missing for two days.
Surveillance video showed the couple going over the railing about the same time with a brief pause between them, New South Wales Police Superintendent Mark Hutchings said. It was not clear if the man or woman went overboard first, and investigators were having the video enhanced to try to learn if they jumped or fell by accident.
The footage showed the couple were outside their cabin when they fell more than 20 meters (65 feet) from the mid deck Wednesday night, he said. At the time, the Carnival Spirit was about 120 kilometers (65 nautical miles) off the coast of Forster, and they were reported as missing after the ship docked the next morning at Sydney's Circular Quay at the end of a 10-day journey.
Paramedic Paul Rossington, 30, and his 26-year-old girlfriend Kristen Schroder, both of the town of Barraba in New South Wales state, were on the cruise with seven family and friends.
Police were questioning family, friends and passengers in a bid to find out what happened. "The footage alone won't tell the whole story," Hutchings said.
Schroder's family issued a statement requesting "privacy and understanding while we come to terms with our beautiful girl's tragic accident."
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Four pit bulls blamed for California jogger's death |
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Written by Associated Press
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Friday, 10 May 2013 05:56 |
PALMDALE, Calif. (AP) — Authorities in rural Los Angeles County were warning people to be on the lookout for four pit bulls suspected of killing a 63-year-old jogger Thursday, and they have seized several dogs in a search for those who may have taken part in the attack.
Sheriff's Lt. John Corina told reporters that a woman in a car saw the dogs attacking the female jogger Thursday morning. The witness called 911 and honked her horn to try to get the dogs to stop.
"When the first deputy on scene saw one dog still attacking the woman, he tried to chase the dog away," Corina said. "The dog ran off into the desert, then turned around and attacked the deputy, the deputy fired a round at the dog and tried to kill the dog, and the dog took off into the desert."
The woman died while she was in an ambulance on the way to a hospital near the high desert community of Littlerock, about 65 miles northeast of Los Angeles, said Evelina Villa, county animal control spokeswoman.
The coroner's office was investigating to determine the cause of death.
Sheriff's officials alerted people in the area to watch for the four tan dogs, and they were using a helicopter to search for them.
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