3 workers killed in Rangamati landslide
Rescuers yesterday recovered the bodies of three construction workers who were buried in the mud following a landslide hit in the Mohila College area of Rangamati town.
The dead -- Anfor Ali, 65, Muhammad Sentu Mia, 40, and Muhammad Pappu, 18 -- were from Sunamganj’s Dharmapasha and used to live in a rented house in Rangamati’s Reserve Bazar area, said Mir Zahidul Haque Rony, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station.
Another worker Sabuj Mia, 55, was seriously injured in the incident and receiving treatment at Rangamati General Hospital, the OC added.
Quoting locals, Station Officer of Rangamati fire service Udayan Chakma said some 11 workers were digging the soil for construction of a building on the bank of Kaptai Lake.
Suddenly, a large boulder from an adjacent hill rolled on them around 1:00pm, killing the three on the spot, he said, adding that the bodies were recovered after an hour-long effort of police, army, firefighters and local people.
They were working without any safety measures, the fire service official said.
OC Rony said the workers were hired by one Parvin Akter, teacher of a local primary school, for the construction works of her building.
Parvin lived in a house with her two children in the uphill area adjacent to the spot, the police official said, adding that she started the construction work without any permission.
However, none of Parvin’s family members was found when this correspondent went to the house.
Police said she had gone to her father’s house in Noakhali following the incident.
Muhammad Mamunur Rashid, deputy commissioner of Rangamati, visited the scene immediately after the incident.
He told this correspondent that the landowner began the construction work illegally as building a house was not allowed on the bank of Kaptai Lake.
A five-member investigation committee, led by Additional Magistrate Nazrul Islam, was formed, the DC said, adding that they were preparing to file a case against Parvin.
Families of each of the deceased were given Tk 20,000 while the only injured worker was provided with Tk 5,000, he added.