OUR CORRESPONDENT, Cox’s Bazar

Two construction workers were killed and another was seriously injured after a section of earth collapsed during culvert construction work in the Darianagar area of Cox’s Bazar yesterday.

The incident occurred around 11:30am at the Marine Fisheries and Wildlife Research Centre of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

Sub-Inspector Saiful Islam, attached to the police camp at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, said the deceased were identified as Mohammad Ilyas, 35, and Md Rakib, 20. The injured worker, Md Shahjahan, is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Assistant Director Syed Muhammad Morshed Hossain said firefighters rushed to the scene after receiving information. “The accident occurred when a section of soil suddenly caved in while workers were digging a foundation for a culvert.”

Workers at the site said the victims were immediately rescued by their fellow workers and taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital in critical condition, where two of them were declared dead.

Md Ilias, former member of Jhelongjha Union Parishad, alleged that the construction work was being carried out without adequate safety measures.