Second phase of rescue work on at Savar

Giant machines are howling all around the debris of the nine-storied building that collapsed in Savar last week, claiming over 381 lives.

Rescuers said the second phase of rescue work was being conducted with utmost care to ensure safety of those who might still be alive under the rubble.

A crane moved one 12-tonne slab in the morning from the pile at the back of the building, ISPR Director Shahinul Islam said. Work is on to move seven more such slabs of up to five tonnes each.

The second phase had to be started as it became difficult to conduct manual search, army personnel said. Although these huge machines were brought to the site two days back, they had been not used keeping in those who could be alive under the debris.

Holes were drilled into the concrete rubble for manual search, but it was getting difficult to work with them any further, they said.

All, including scribes, were moved away from the site on Sunday night. Only the rescuers – the Bangladesh Army and the Fire Service and Civil Defence personnel – remained there.

The site was cordoned off with hundreds waiting outside the sealed off area for news of their loved ones.

Two cranes were put to work on Sunday night. Since Monday morning, excavators went into action moving mounds of concrete to trucks. Some bodies were also spotted during the process.

Rescuers said more bodies could be recovered after heavy slabs and beams were moved.

Then the search for bodies will once again start with the help of machines.

The divider on the road was removed to facilitate movement of the earthmovers. Electric wires were also removed near the site.

ISPR Director Shahinul said bodies would be rescued after obstructions were moved away. If anyone was spotted alive, efforts would be made for his/her rescue. “These efforts will continue until the last body or trapped person is salvaged.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the site amidst these operations on Monday morning.

Until Monday 2:00pm, 381 bodies were recovered from the rubble, Dhaka Superintendent of Police Habibur Rahman said.

Of them, 329 bodies have been handed over to the relatives, while the rest are being preserved at the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, and Mitford Hospital morgues for identification.