Worker killed, 10 hurt as shutter of 4-lane bridge at Payra Port collapses

Payra Port employees mounr the death of a worker in a shutter collapse of bridge in the port

Patuakhali: A construction worker named Rasel Howlader (32) was killed when the traveler farm or iron shutter of the four-lane bridge under construction at Payra Port collapsed and fell into the Rabnabad River in Kalapara, Patuakhali. The deceased Rasel is the son of Shah Alam Howlader of Anjupara village in Tiakhali Union.

Three other workers were seriously injured in the incident. They are Alam (40), son of Yar Hossain of Gaibandha district, Ranju (35), son of Md. Hasem of the same district, and Md. Rakibul (35), son of Md. Abul Kalam of Sherpur district. After treating them at the Kalapara Health Complex, the doctors on duty referred Ronju and Rakibul to Barisal Sheraibangla Medical College Hospital in critical condition. The rest injured name and their conditions were not known immediately.

Meanwhile, Kalapara Upazila Executive Officer Kawsar Hamid consoled the relatives of the deceased Rasel after the incident and mentioned that he had informed the higher authorities.

According to police and local sources, in the morning, 10 to 15 workers sat on the iron shutter on the bridge and started tying rods. At around 10:30 am, the chain suddenly broke and the shutter, along with the workers, fell into the river. Locals immediately rescued the injured and took them to Kalapara Hospital, where the doctor on duty declared Rasel dead.

Meanwhile, after the incident, Kalapara UNO Kawsar Hamid consoled the relatives of the deceased Rasel and mentioned that he had informed the higher authorities.

The 1,180-meter-long bridge, connected to the six-lane road of Payra Port, is being constructed by two contracting organizations, China Railway Bridge Construction Group (CRBG) and China Civil Engineering Constitution Corporation (CCECC). The construction work of the bridge began on March 12, 2024. The workers said that there was a shortage of safety equipment of the contracting organization.

Kalapara Police Station OC Md. Rabiul Islam said that the body has been recovered. Further legal action is being taken. - Gofran Palash