Death toll from landslides reaches 125 in Bangladesh hill districts

At least 125 have died after heavy rain triggered landslides in three hill districts of southeastern Bangladesh.

Four soldiers were among the victims whose bodies were recovered in rescue operations, said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief's control room in Dhaka on Tuesday night.

The highest casualty is in Rangamati where 88 people have died, said GM Abdul Quader, a deputy secretary at the ministry.

Thirty people died in Chittagong. Of them, 22 were buried under mud and the rest were crushed under trees. Six died in Bandarban, according to an official count.

But seven were dead in remote Bandarban, according to local officials who spoke to bdnews24.com.  

In an earlier press conference, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya said around 4,000 people had been moved to 18 shelters set up by the government.

A soldier was still missing in the landslide which killed four personnel and injured ten more near the army's Manikchhari camp in Rangamati. 

Rains continued in the southeastern districts influenced by a land depression since Sunday.

The roads connecting Chittagong to Rangamati, Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar snapped at night as water rushed downhill.

Fire service, civil defence and police personnel are currently conducting rescue operations in the area.

Seasonal rains cause landslides and casualties every year.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, travelling to Sweden for bilateral talks, has mourned the deaths, said her Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim. 

President Md Abdul Hamid also condoled the victims in a message, according to Bangabhaban officials.

Jun 11, 2007: Landslides in seven separate areas of Chittagong leave 127 dead. 

Aug 18, 2008: Four families lose 12 members to a landslide in Motijharna of Chittagong’s Lalkhan Bazar.

Jul 1, 2011: Landslide and the collapse of a protection wall leave 17 dead at Batali Hill near Chittagong’s Tiger Pass.

Jun 26-27, 2012: Landslides leave 94 dead in Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban and Sylhet.

Jun 26-27, 2015: Landslides and downhill rush of water kill 19 in Cox’s Bazar.