Worker dies after falling from building at JA, all construction work suspended!

A construction worker named Rakib (26) tragically died after falling from the under-construction building of the 10-storey, fourth-class staff quarters under the further development project at Jahangirnagar University (JU). The incident took place on Thursday afternoon.

On behalf of the university administration, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mahfuz Ahmed, who is on routine duty, expressed deep grief. He prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased Rakib and expressed his condolences to his family.

Journalists who went to the spot found that the finishing work of the building was in progress. Quoting the manager of the site's contracting company, it was learned that Rakib was filling bags of necessary sand and cement waste and throwing it down from the window between 5 pm and 5:30 pm on Thursday. At that time, he fell down inadvertently.

Immediately, the subcontractor's foreman Russell Mia rescued the injured Rakib and first took him to Islamia Diagnostic Center in Savar. Later, when he was taken to Enam Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment, the doctor on duty declared him dead.

The university's project office said that in an emergency administrative meeting on Thursday night, all construction work under the 'Further Development Project' was declared closed until further orders.

The project authorities said that an investigation will be conducted to find out whether there was any negligence on the part of the contractor or labor supplier in this accident. If negligence is proven in the investigation, necessary action will be taken against those concerned.

They also said that no construction work can be started in the future until safety nets and security measures are ensured at all sites.

On the other hand, the contractor has immediately paid two lakh taka in cash to the family of the deceased worker. An official of the contracting company said, “This is a tragic accident. We stand with the family of the deceased Rakib and will provide all possible assistance. We pray for the eternal peace of his soul.”

The site manager said, “We have the necessary safety equipment here, including helmets and safety belts. But unfortunately, workers often do not want to use them. This is a common problem among construction workers in Bangladesh.”

The incident has cast a shadow of mourning on the university campus. Teachers, students and locals are waiting for the investigation report by the administration and project authorities to be released.