19 school kids injured as floor subsides

The verandah of a primary school in Lakhai upazila of Habiganj subsided suddenly on Monday when some students were standing there talking with the headmaster, leaving 19 students and the headmaster injured.

Locals said Sujonpur Government Primary School was established in 2012. The contractor, M/S Shafiullah Enterprises, constructed the building under Local Government Engineering Department.

"On Monday afternoon some students and I fell down when a part of the porch we were standing on suddenly subsided. Nineteen students and I were injured,” headmaster Abu Taher said. 

Lakhai Upazila Primary Education Officer Majnur Rahman told this correspondent that seven of the injured students returned home after receiving first aid while the headmaster and 12 studentswere admitted to a hospital.

Lakhai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shahina Akhter said an investigation committee has been formed to find out the reasons behind the incident.

Md Shafiullah, contractor of M/S Shafiullah Enterprises, said he did not receive any complaint about the construction work. Another contractor carried out the construction work with his (Shafiullah's) license, he added.

Lakhai Upazila Parishad Chairman Mushfiqul Alam Azad said the school building was built six years ago in a remote area of Lakhai upazila. The earth below the verandah had moved away gradually since then. This unexpected accident may have occurred due to that, he added.