We are highly fortunate that the massive subsidence at the Sunderban Hotel in Karwan Bazar did not cause any serious injuries.
Initial investigations suggest that failure to follow proper building construction methods and rules is likely to have caused a basement at the site to collapse after surrounding soil was softened by rainwater, leading directly to the potentially catastrophic subsidence.
However, responsibility ends up being apportioned after full investigations are made, the most worrying aspect of this incident is that it could have occurred anywhere in the country.
Many buildings in Dhaka develop cracks and become unsafe when excavation is conducted on neighbouring plots, as appears to have happened at this hotel. Clearly it needs to be a higher priority to ensure proper monitoring of construction sites to ensure that they do not endanger public safety.
We strongly believe the government also needs to go much further to provide proper assurance to the public.
Tolerance of poor safety standards and practices is endemic across many aspects of life in the country, and causes an unconscionably high rate of traffic and river accidents. With the exception of the RMG industry, where stakeholder safety initiatives are actively working to improve building safety, there is not enough being done to promote safety.
The government needs to become far more pro-active in guarding against risks. Implementing stronger measures when accidents occur is important, but it is far more important and essential for the government to nurture a proper safety culture to help prevent accidents in the first place.
Awareness and public education needs to go hand-in-hand with enforcing rules and common sense so that everybody puts safety first.