A portion of the basement of Hotel Sundarban, which was evacuated earlier in the day, has reportedly sunk following the collapse of an adjacent road.
Dhaka Tribune Staff Reporter Kamrul Hasan reported from the spot at around 2pm: “A portion of the basement adjacent to the boundary wall located on the North side of the building, which caved in with the road, sank at around 1:50pm.”
The authorities concerned restricted all type of vehicular movement on the road in front of the building, said Kamrul.
Mayor of Dhaka North Annisul Huq will brief the media at 10pm on Wednesday over the latest update.
They also took immediate steps in filling up the subsided land. The effort was underway till filing of the report at 2:30pm.
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
Earlier in the day, the authorities of Hotel Sundarban in the capital's Kathalbagan area were recommended to evacuate the hotel.
Inspector Syed Monirul Islam of Fire Service and Civil Defence control room told the Dhaka Tribune: “Locals heard a loud sound at around 8:30am, and later found that a road adjacent to Hotel Sundarban suddenly sank into the earth.
“On being informed, the members of fire service and civil defence rushed in. After observing the situation, the FSCD authorities asked the hotel authorities to evacuate it immediately as its water supply system collapsed due to the caving in.”
“Primarily, we are estimating that the incident happened due to the piling work of a nearby high-rise building,” he added.
The FSCD control room officials also said that some makeshift tea stalls and shops have also sunk. But, no report of injuries has been filed till writing of this report at around 10am.
However, the entire area is stated to be very risky as the sand and mud of the ground are being washed away by the water coming out of the leakage in the water line of Hotel Sundarban.
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
The authorities have cut off the supply of power, gas and water in the area as part of an extra security measure.
The newly-elected mayor of Dhaka North Annisul Huq visited the spot at around 10:45am immediately after he got received news of the incident.
He said: “We are estimating that the area belongs to Dhaka South. But, it doesn't matter whether it belongs to Dhaka North or South. I have found the area very risky and now its our main duty to make the area safe for people.”
Later, Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapos MP and Dhaka South Mayor Sayeed Khokon visited the spot and held the authorities of Rajuk and the construction company responsible for the incident.
MP Tapos said: “My observation is that the Rajuk authorities are completely responsible for the incident. Action should be taken against the people concerned for their negligence.”
Syeed Khokon said: “Our first duty is to ensure extra security measures in order to save the lives and valuables of the people in the area and we will take every possible step in this regard.”
Apart from the firefighters, additional law enforcers, including police, RAB and Ansar members, have been deployed in the area in order to prevent further damage.
The officials and staff of Wasa and Desco are also present in the area.