Four army personnel killed in landslide during Rangamati rescue operation

Four army personnel have been killed in a landslide that hit them during a rescue operation in Rangamati, according to the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate or ISPR.

The dead are identified as Major Mahfuzul Hoque, Captain Tanvir Salam Shanto, Aziz, a corporal, and Shahin, a soldier.

Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya announced the names at a media briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

One soldier was still missing while ten have suffered injuries in the incident that took place near an army camp at Manikchhari at 9am Tuesday.

"They were working to clear the Chittagong-Rangamati Highway blocked by mud from earlier landslides when another hit them," Kotwali police OC Md Rashid said.

Lt Col Md Rashidul Hasan, director of ISPR, said the injured were receiving first aid but authorities were yet to reach the spot as road links were snapped following landslides.

"Helicopters cannot land there right now due to adverse weather," he told bdnews24.com.

At least 69 died after heavy rains caused by a low pressure system triggered landslides in Rangamati, Chittagong and Bandarban on Tuesday.