Fresh landslide kills one in Bandarban

A teenage girl was killed and at least four others went missing in a landslide triggered by torrential rain in Bandarban yesterday morning.

The incident took place at Dolian Para on Bandarban-Ruma road around 9:30am when passengers of a bus were crossing a severely damaged portion of the road on foot, witnesses said.

Fire fighters with the help of local people recovered the body of the deceased, Sing Mya Hla, 19, of Mong Swe Pru village in Ruma upazila, said Officer-in-Charge of Bandarban Sadar police Md Rafiq Ullah.

Her brother Chain Kya U said another sister of his was still missing. 

Those, who went missing, are Ruma upazila health worker Munni Barua, upazila post master Jainul Alam, upazila Krishi bank officer Goutom Nandi, and Ching Mya Sing Marma, police said.

Three others who survived the incident with injuries were admitted to Bandarban Sadar Hospital.

Chong Part Mro who witnessed the incident said at least seven-eight people might be missing. “I saw a huge chunk of earth fell on 10-12 people when they were crossing the road.”

The road was damaged at several points by last month's torrential rain and consequent landslides. People are often forced to get down from vehicles for the poor condition of the road.

Road communication between Bandarban town and Ruma upazila was snapped after yesterday's landslide.

Meanwhile, the rescue operation following the incident was hampered due to heavy rain and intermittent landslides in the area.

The OC said police suspected four-five people were still beneath the mud.

Earlier on June 13, landslides killed nine people in the district.