It’s been over a decade. Most people have moved on to the next viral trend or the latest fashion "haul" on social media. But for the families in Savar, just outside Dhaka, the morning of April 24, 2013, isn't a history lesson. It is a permanent scar.
When the Rana Plaza collapse happened in Bangladesh, it wasn't just a building falling down. It was the moment the world's cheap clothing obsession finally broke. 1,134 people died. Most of them were young women. They weren't just "workers"—they were daughters and mothers who were basically forced into a death trap because global brands needed their t-shirts on time.
Honestly, the details still turn your stomach.
The Day the Floor Gave Way
The day before the collapse, massive cracks appeared. We're talking deep, structural fissures that would make anyone run for their lives. The shops and the bank on the lower floors did exactly that—they shut down immediately. But the garment factory owners on the upper levels? They told the workers to get inside or lose a month’s pay.
Imagine that choice. You either walk into a building that is visibly crumbling, or you don't eat for a month.
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At 8:54 AM, the power cut out. Huge diesel generators on the top floors kicked in. The vibration was the final straw. Within ninety seconds, eight stories of concrete and machinery pancaked into a pile of rubble.
Rescuers spent 19 days digging. They found people who had to amputate their own limbs with hacksaws just to get free. It sounds like a horror movie, but it was just a Tuesday in the global supply chain.
Who is Sohel Rana and Where is He Now?
You’d think a guy responsible for one of the deadliest industrial disasters in human history would be long gone, right? Well, as of early 2026, the legal saga of Sohel Rana—the building's owner—is still a mess.
He was caught near the Indian border four days after the collapse. Since then, it’s been a revolving door of court dates. Just recently, in late 2025 and again in January 2026, the Bangladesh Supreme Court had to step in to stay bail orders that would have let him walk free.
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The trial for murder has been notoriously slow. It officially "started" in 2022, nearly nine years after the fact. People are frustrated. Families are tired. The fact that the primary trial is still dragging on in 2026 feels like a second tragedy.
What Changed (and What Kinda Stayed the Same)
After the global outcry, the "Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh" was born. It was a big deal. For the first time, brands were legally on the hook for the safety of the factories they used.
- Safety is better, mostly. Thousands of factories have been inspected. Fire doors were installed. Massive structural reinforcements happened. If you’re buying clothes today, the factory they came from is statistically much less likely to fall on someone’s head than it was in 2012.
- The "International Accord" expanded. It’s not just Bangladesh anymore. In 2023, they started the Pakistan Accord. By 2025, the worker complaint mechanism was expanded to cover more than just "will this floor collapse?" It now looks at things like workplace harassment and unfair treatment.
- The pay is still a struggle. While the buildings are safer, the wages haven't kept up with inflation. In 2024 and 2025, we saw massive protests in Bangladesh with workers demanding a livable wage. They got a small bump, but it’s still pennies compared to the profits of the brands selling the clothes.
The Fast Fashion Trap
You've probably heard the term "Fast Fashion." It’s the reason you can buy a dress for fifteen bucks. But that price tag is a lie. Someone, somewhere, is paying the rest of that cost.
Usually, it’s the person at the sewing machine.
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Brands often squeeze suppliers so hard on price and lead times that something has to give. Before 2013, what gave was building safety. Today, what gives is often the worker’s health, their ability to take a break, or their right to join a union without getting fired.
Why You Should Still Care
It's easy to feel helpless. Like, what can one person do against a multi-billion dollar industry?
But the Rana Plaza collapse proved that pressure works. The only reason the Accord exists—the only reason those factories were fixed—is because customers were furious. Brands hate bad PR more than they love cheap labor.
When we stop looking, the corners start getting cut again.
How to Shop Better Without Being Rich
- Check the tag. Look for brands that have signed the International Accord. There’s a public list. If your favorite brand isn't on it, ask them why.
- Wear what you have. The most "ethical" garment is the one already in your closet.
- Don't fall for the "Greenwashing." Just because a brand has a "Conscious" line doesn't mean the people making it are being treated fairly. Look for transparency reports.
- Support the unions. Follow groups like the Clean Clothes Campaign or Fashion Revolution. They are the ones on the ground making sure the world doesn't forget Savar.
The legacy of the Rana Plaza collapse isn't just a memorial in the dirt. It's a reminder that every piece of clothing has a story. It’s up to us to make sure that story doesn't end in a collapse.
Take Action Today
Check the International Accord Signatory List to see if the brands you buy from are committed to worker safety. If they aren't, send them a quick DM or email. It sounds small, but when thousands do it, the industry actually listens.