Four die in Rangamati as building topples

At least four people were killed and several others went missing last evening as a two-storied building toppled over into Kaptai Lake in Reserve Bazar area of the district.

The deceased were identified as Zahidul Islam, 45, his daughter Pinky, 13, her house tutor Umme Habiba, 22, and Saidul, 4, our local correspondent reports quoting Liton Kumar Palit, a physician at Rangamati Sadar Hospital.

The identity of the fourth victim is yet to be determined.

The building, located near Rangamati Government Women's College, overturned around 6:00pm, said, Manzurul Mannan, deputy commissioner of Rangamati.

The building might have given way after the water level in the lake rose due to incessant rain and partially inundated it, said Golam Mustafa, assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence.

Seven people have been rescued while a child remained missing, Golam Mustafa told this correspondent. 

A total of four families lived in the tin-roofed building as tenants, said locals.

Fire service with the help of the army, police and locals were conducting search and rescue operation till filing of this report at 10:00pm.