Roof of student hall collapses at Nazrul University, injures 10 workers

At least 10 workers have been injured as the roof of an under-construction building at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University collapsed in Mymensingh’s Trishal Upazila.

Registrar Prof Md Mijanur Rahman said the incident occurred on Thursday while welding work was being carried out on the roof of the balcony of Bidrohi Hall.

A six-member committee headed by the university's Proctor Md Mahbubur Rahman has been formed to investigate the incident.

The injured workers have been admitted to the Trishal Upazila Health Complex. However, their names and identities were not immediately available.

Witnesses said that a part of the building suddenly collapsed around noon while the roof was being welded, resulting in some construction workers being trapped under the rubble.

They were immediately rescued by other workers nearby.

Low-quality rods and ordinary jute ropes used in the construction work were seen lying around on the ground. No provision for the safety or protection of the workers was present either.

A worker, who did not want to be named, said: “I have been involved in construction work for about 10 years, but I have never seen a roof being cast in the rain.

“The work is of very poor quality. I don’t know how the engineer asked us to carry on the work in the rain.”

Engineer Md Rahat Hasan Didar, who is in charge of the construction, said: “Everything was done as planned. This accident occurred due to the rain.”

Mijanur said that a six-member investigation committee has been formed into the incident of the roof collapse of the student hall. An investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the roof collapse and whether any negligence was involved.

The university official also said a letter will be sent to the contractor in this incident.