Crane mishap at Benapole port kills worker, halts cargo handling

Import and export operations remain normal despite cargo handling shutdown

Cargo handling at Benapole Land Port has been suspended after a worker was killed in a crane accident, disrupting loading and unloading operations at the busy trade hub.

Cargo operations at the port in Jashore were suspended on Wednesday morning after the accident, while import-export and passenger services carried on as usual, said Sajedur Rahman, general secretary of the C&F Agent Staff Association.

The accident took place earlier on Tuesday around 6:30pm at the port’s Truck Terminal Infrastructure (TTI) yard, when a crane cable snapped during the unloading of iron sheets from an Indian truck.

The falling load killed 56-year-old Shahajahan Ali and left another worker injured.

Sajedur said Shahjahan died on the way to hospital after suffering “critical” injuries.

He added that handling workers have since stopped loading and unloading activities at the port.

According to him, the Benapole port chairman is expected to visit the site at noon and hold talks with workers, after which cargo operations are likely to resume.