Rescue operations delayed due to clearance issues

Complications in getting clearance have delayed the resumption of rescue efforts at the building in the capital's Gulistan, where a deadly explosion claimed the lives of 17 people yesterday.

Babul Chakraborty, deputy director (planning) of fire service and civil defence, said they were ready to carry out the operation but were waiting for clearance to enter the building.

At the spot, an on-duty Rab official was heard speaking on his mobile and requesting a top official of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) to send an engineer for clearance.

"We can't enter without your clearance," the Rab official was heard saying.

Around 8:00pm yesterday, the fire service halted their rescue operations at the affected building in Gulistan around 8:00pm after it was marked as risky due to the damaged columns in the basement.

"The basement and ground of the building have collapsed and the columns of the building were damaged severely following the explosion," Brig Gen Md Main Uddin, director general (DG) of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, told reporters yesterday.

"We took the opinions of experts from Rajuk and Bangladesh Army and deemed the building risky. We are refraining from trying to enter the building in this state. We will try to stabilise the building before resuming the operation there. Meanwhile, we are continuing our operation at the adjacent building."

The explosion took place around 4:45pm yesterday.