Even ten hours after the collapse of an eight-storey building in Savar, over 800 rescuers have been engaged in frantic operations to pull out the trapped bodies and survivors.
“Till now, we managed to rescue victims who were trapped from ground to third floor,” Col Shayekuzzaman, an army official engaged in the operation told Dhaka Tribune around 7:30pm today.
At least 80 people were reportedly killed while over 1,000 injured as the building that housed several garment factories, where an estimated 5,000 workers were employed, collapsed around 9:30am.
Before the professional fighters reached the scene, hundreds of locals rushed to the building and started rescuing the victims. A team of 250 fighters from the Fire Service and Civil Defence also rushed to the spot shortly and began the operations. Members of police, Rab and army also joined them later on.
“As soon as the building collapsed with a roar, we rushed to the spot,” said a local resident. “The fire service arrived in 15 minutes, followed by the army. We joined hands with them to rescue those trapped inside.”
Besides, hundreds of locals mostly the friends and relatives of the people who were believed to be trapped inside the building also took part in the rescue effort.
However, the rescue drive was being disrupted at the beginning due to the opposition’s shutdown although it was relaxed immediately and also withdrawn by this afternoon, said locals.
An additional team of 250 members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence joined the rescue effort later.
According to the Inter-Service Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), Bangladesh, over 300 members of army from Dhaka and Savar cantonment were deployed with equipment including excavator, crane and loader.
“The rescue effort will continue until all the victims trapped under the rubble are pulled out,” Col Shayekuzzaman added.
