Three injured as lift falls at government housing complex in Mirpur
Collected Photo
Three people were seriously injured after a lift fell at a building in a housing project for government officials and employees in the Paikpara area of Mirpur in Dhaka.
The incident occurred at Building 1 of the Paikpara Housing Project at around 6 am on Friday.
Rafiqul Islam, an employee of the Directorate of Government Transport and president of the building, confirmed the incident.
The injured were Mostafizur Rahman (62), a former employee of the Prime Minister's Office, Nais Ahmed (40), and his son Md Wasy (8).
A doctor on duty at the Pangu Hospital said Nais Ahmed suffered fractures in both legs.
Building General Secretary Md Shahabuddin Ahmed, a personal officer at the Bangladesh Public Service Commission Secretariat, said citing eyewitnesses that the three residents of the fifth floor entered the lift after Fajr prayers. Shortly afterward, the lift fell with a loud noise. Hearing the sound, the security guard went there and heard screams. Later, several people from nearby came and rescued them and took them to a hospital.
Administrative Officer of the Finance Division Samir Chandra Shil alleged that the lift had frequently remained out of service for a long time. It was repaired somehow and kept in operation. He said the accident proved that the lift was dangerous.
He said the matter concerning the lift had been reported to the Public Works Department several times in letters. However, they did not pay attention to it.
Moksed Ali, a high-grade assistant at the Ministry of Defence, said the lift, which was beyond repair, had been repaired and kept in operation despite repeated reports. “We are demanding that the appropriate authority resolve the matter quickly.”
The incident has caused panic among all residents of the housing complex. Most residents alleged that there are eight buildings in the complex. The condition of the lifts in most of the buildings is not good. They are also not being properly repaired. They fear a bigger accident could occur at any time.
