A 10-foot-deep drainage trench, dug to improve water drainage, turned into a death trap in an instant. A huge mound of excavated soil collapsed, burying three workers who were digging inside.
Despite a desperate 40-minute rescue effort, 20-year-old worker Rabbi Hossain could not be saved. Two other workers remain hospitalized in critical condition.
The tragic accident occurred between about 4:30 and 5 p.m. Monday (Sept. 7) in Rangpur village, Khadempur union, Alamdanga upazila, Chuadanga.
Rabbi Hossain, 20, who died, was the son of Kawsar Ali of Sarishadanga village, Mominpur union, Chuadanga Sadar upazila. The two injured workers, from the same village, were identified as Rajon, 19, and Tanjil, 17. They are currently being treated at Chuadanga Sadar Hospital.
Local sources said three workers had been digging a drainage trench at the homestead of Motiar Rahman in Rangpur village since morning. While working about 10 feet down, a nearby raised mound or wall of soil suddenly collapsed in the afternoon.
Witness Amena Begum said the entire pile of soil came down on the workers inside before they could react.
Local resident Azimullah said that after hearing a loud noise and screaming, people rushed over and found two workers’ heads barely visible above the soil. Villagers quickly gathered to clear the soil and rescued Rajon and Tanjil alive, but Rabbi was completely buried.
After about 40 minutes, locals dug him out, but he was unresponsive. He was taken to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, where the attending physician declared him dead.
Confirming the incident, Bani Israel, officer-in-charge of Alamdanga police station, said police visited the scene of the accident as soon as they were notified.