Several feared trapped, 9 injured as RU under-construction dorm roof collapses

At least nine construction workers have been injured as the roof of Shaheed AHM Kamaruzzaman Hall of Rajshahi University (RU) has collapsed. 

The incident took place at around 12:45pm on Tuesday. Two units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence are on the spot.

Proctor Prof Asabul Haque confirmed the matter. 

"I came to Kamaruzzaman Hall immediately after hearing the incident. So far, 10 workers have been rescued. Some more workers may be buried beneath the debris. Their rescue operation is underway. The injured were admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital,” he said. 

According to the university's engineering department, Majid Sons Construction Limited, the contractor of the Rooppur pillow scandal, got the work of constructing the 10-storey Shaheed AHM Kamaruzzaman Residential Hall and the 20-storey academic building under the RU project. 

Abu Sama, senior station officer of Rajshahi Fire Station, said: "Our team has been sent to RU after the roof collapsed. The injured are being taken to RMCH Hospital. It is not yet known how many people were injured. The rescue will be announced at the end.

Abu Bakar, the engineer in charge of Shaheed AHM Kamaruzzaman Hall, said the roof of the hall auditorium was being welded on Monday. There was an irregularity in that casting. So it collapsed.   

The project Director Khandaker Shahriar said: "I am out of Rajshahi. However, I heard that about 10 workers were injured when the roof of an auditorium of the hall collapsed.”