Efforts on to save those alive in Rana Plaza

Relentless efforts are on to salvage those still alive inside the rubble of the collapsed Rana Plaza on Sunday morning, 96 hours after the tragedy struck in what was being described as the worst such incident in the history of Bangladesh.

Nine people were found breathing under the rubble at the third-floor of the collapsed building, army said at a press conference in the morning. Five of them could be rescued around 12:30pm, bdnews24.com reporter at the scene reported. Apart from these nine, the rescuers also noticed another sign of life under the debris.

The death toll stood at 397 at around 3:00pm. A total of 309 bodies were handed over to the relatives and 52 more, awaiting recognition, were sent to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and Mitford Hospital.
After all these survivors are rescued, heavy equipment and machinery will be used to clear the debris. Captain of the Bangladesh Army’s 9th division Maj Gen Chowdhury Hassan Suhrawardy said a decision was finally taken, 99 hours after the operation was launched, for use of heavy machinery and equipment.

“Until now, we prioritised the safety of those alive and trapped inside. We were on the first phase. But now, manual method is proving a bit tough. That is why we are turning to some use of technology.”

It might take around two hours to rescue them, Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General Ali Ahmed Khan said.

Police had cordoned off the site. Scores were waiting outside the cordoned area for news of their dear ones, bdnews24.com Correspondent at scene reported.

Earlier in the morning, all except rescuers were moved away from the site. Machines like hydraulic cranes and loaders were brought at the site.

Before the press conference took place, rescuers were also moved away.

The figures were confirmed from the notice board of the control room set up there announcing official counts to the families of the distraught.

“Rescue works will pursue till the last person is salvaged,” Bangladesh Army’s Brigadier General Siddiqul Alam Sikder said in the morning, removing doubts on the prior announcements that it would end after 72 hours on Saturday.

Still, 1050 were missing according to the relatives, Police Sub Inspector put in charge at the Adhar Chandra School – the place where bodies were being kept – said.

Though it was not clear exactly how many people were inside the building when the building collapsed, estimates suggest the figure to be around 3,500.

On Saturday, the rescuers salvaged 31 people alive from the debris. These unsung heroes had to brave rains and storms to carry on with the rescue efforts. They said of rescuing 2,433 people from the debris in four days.

On Apr 24, the nine-storied Rana Plaza located near Savar bus stand collapsed a day after cracks appeared on the building. It was first the locals who rushed to carry out rescue works. Later, Bangladesh Army and Fire Service and Civil Defence coordinated the salvage operations.

The majority of the victims are readymade garment workers, who were forced into work by the factory owners on the day despite safety alerts were sounded by the Industrial Police the previous day.

The structure was erected over 56 decimals of land. Now only, three stories are standing above the ground. The building housed five garment units, a bank, and commercial shops including electronics, computer, cosmetics and clothes.

The building was owned by the ruling Awami League’s youth front, Juba League’s Senior Joint Convenor Sohel Rana. The building had permission of up to six floors.

Shahinul Islam of the Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) said special cameras were being used for looking under the debris through seven holes drilled for the purpose. Some 25 such holes have been made.

“We are looking everywhere. Whenever we found someone, we tried to rescue that person.”

Meanwhile, owners of the three factories located inside the building were arrested. Four among them were remanded. However, Sohel Rana is still on the run.

BNP alleged Rana had fled with assistance from the government. Junior Home Minister Shamsul Haque Tuku refuted such allegations and said the law enforcers were trying to arrest Rana.