Published on 07:55 PM, June 16, 2017

Search ends in Rangamati, missing claims stand

AKM Shakil Newaz (left), deputy director of Fire Service and Civil Defence, addresses a post-landslide rescue operation briefing in Rangamati on June 16, 2017. Photo: Prabir Das

Search for dead bodies has ended in Rangamati, the district that saw the worst series of landslides in a decade which killed at least 110, amid claims of more missing.

District Deputy Commissioner Manzarul Mannan announced the wrapping up of search operation at a press briefing around 5:45pm this evening.

Search team head AKM Shakil Newaz, deputy director of Fire Service and Civil Defence, however said fire fighters would continue operation in a limited scale.

He said that some missing claims still stand in Rangamati Sadar’s Banarupa and Rupnagar areas. However, no bodies were found in Banarupa.

Read More: Horror strikes hills

At least 148 lives have been claimed so far in the deadly series of landslides in Rangamati, Chittagong, Bandarban, Khagrachhar and Cox’s Bazar – the hilly areas of Chittagong division.

Road transports between Rangamati and other districts have remained suspended since Tuesday. Authorities are trying to establish communications through waterways.

Prices of essentials are skyrocketing there and supplies are getting scarce.

Warning of further rainfall and landslide still stands.