“The roof of the under-construction building of the Atomic Energy Research Establishment collapsed in only 15-20 seconds. It happened before anyone could even understand anything.”
This is how a construction worker of the building, Khairul Islam, 27, was describing Dhaka Tribune about the horrific roof collapse that took place in Savar on Friday.
Khairul is currently being treated at the Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Mujib Memorial KPJ Specialized Hospital and Nursing College in Gazipur.
He said that he joined the construction work of that building just five days ago.
On Friday, he was working on the construction of the building all day. In the afternoon, 30-40 workers were working to wield the roof of the tenth floor.
Khairul said all of a sudden about two-thirds of the roof started collapsing at around 4pm, and some 20-25 workers, including Khairul, fell to the ninth floor of the structure.
He was severely injured near his eyes, and there are several cuts on his hands, and legs.
Another injured, Yakub Ali, was seen receiving treatment in room number 506 of the hospital. He was injured in different parts of his body as well.
Ali said that he joined the building as a mason five months ago. He was involved in leveling the casting during Friday's incident. Unfortunately, the section of the roof he was working on collapsed.
Dhaka TribuneHe said: “We were saved from serious injuries because we all had boots on our feet and safety helmets on our heads. Immediately after the incident, the fire service rescued us and brought us to the hospital. Our medical expenses are being borne by the contractor company Star Light.”
Earlier in the day, Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman admitted the negligence in the construction of the under-construction building of the Atomic Energy Research Establishment.
The incident will be investigated, said the minister on Saturday while inspecting the 10-storey building of the Atomic Energy Research Establishment in Dhaka's Savar.
Yeafesh Osman said: “Our officials who are involved in the work of this building will also be looked into.
“I will find out how much they were negligent in their work….It's basically the contractor's business, we have nothing here though. However, we will look into everything,” said the minister.
Yeafesh Osman said the incident is not a serious issue. There was some negligence on the part of the contractor. “After seeing the whole thing, I understand that there is some negligence.”
At least 15 construction workers were injured as the roof of an under-construction building of Savar Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE) collapsed on Friday.
The incident took place in Ganakbari of the upazila at around 4pm on Friday