Three people were injured Tuesday when more than 900 garment workers panicked during a fire safety drill at Ocean Garment Co, Ltd and stampeded through one of two available fire exits, both workers and their employers said.
Another seven workers were brought to Preah Bat Norodom Sihanouk Hospital and received treatment for fainting spells they suffered during the ensuing confusion, hospital officials said.
“The drill was obviously not satisfactory. We never thought someone would get hurt during the drill,” Ocean General Manager Kamal Milki said.
According to workers, the panic started at 4 pm Tuesday when they witnessed a small blast and watched smoke rise from a corner of the factory, which is located on Street 271 near Sihanouk Hospital. Thinking a fire had broken out, frightened workers charged for one of the exits.
Khan Sineth, Ken Sareth and Khlang Borey were injured when panicking workers trampled them as they charged out the narrow exit.
The three injured are all being treated at Sihanouk Hospital and are expected to be released soon, doctors said.
Khlang Borey, 21, and Khan Sineth, 19 both suffered minor injuries to their shoulders and backs. Ken Sareth, 30, suffered injuries to her ribs.
Kol Sreymom, 30, who has worked at Ocean Garment for five months and witnessed the disturbance on Tuesday, said she was not aware of any fire drill and was convinced that the factory was unsafe.
“I was working at the factory, and I saw smoke so I rushed to one of the exits. People were pushing each other to get out and people were hurt. I did not go back to work because I am afraid of another fire,” Kol Sreymom said.
Kol Sreymom is not alone. Most people at the factory did not return to work on Wednesday for fear of fires. Adding to the anxiety was a report Wednesday afternoon that two electrical fires erupted at the factory at 9 am and 10 am. Those rumors, coupled with the previous day’s stampede, kept most workers away from Ocean Garment.
Milki confirmed that one fire drill was conducted at the factory Tuesday, but said there were no exercises on Wednesday.
“Workers were still very scared on Wednesday. A large box fell from a shelf and made a loud noise, and that startled people so much they ran for the exits again,” he said.
There were no injuries reported Wednesday, but at least four workers were taken to Sihanouk Hospital to be treated for fainting spells and anxiety-related symptoms, hospital officials said.
Milki said the factory owners will pay the medical expenses of those injured during the drill. Additionally, any factory worker who did go to work out of concern for their safety would not be dismissed from Ocean Garment, he said.
The fire safety drill Tuesday was the second safety exercise conducted by the company. During the first drill on May 31, Milki said he informed the workers beforehand that they would be involved in a drill. The drill Tuesday was not announced, which obviously added to the confusion, Milke said.
“We are very sorry that people were hurt, and we will work to ensure this does not happen again,” he said.
