2 children killed in landslide while playing football in Ctg's KEPZ
KEPZ denies allegations, says children died while hunting birds
Two children were killed and two others critically injured in a landslide while playing football near a hill in Anwara upazila of Chattogram this morning (1 May).
The accident occurred around 10am in the old brick hill area of Block-C inside Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) in Bairag Union of the upazila.
Confirming the matter, Anwara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monir Hossain told UNB that the bodies were taken into custody from the Anwara Upazila Health Complex.
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The deceased were identified as Rohan, 12, son of Md Abdur Rahim and Misbah, 12, son of Imran Hossain, both residents of Bairag union of the upazila.
The injured are Siam, 11, son of Mostak Mia, and Sifat, 12, son of Abul Kashem.
Locals said a group of children was playing football in an open field near the hill when a chunk of it suddenly collapsed, burying several of them under the debris.
Anwara Upazila Health Officer Dr Mohtab Uddin Chowdhury said the deceased were brought to the hospital in critical condition and died shortly after.
"The injured were sent to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital for better treatment," he added.
Locals held the alleged hill-cutting by the KEPZ in the area responsible for the incident.
KEPZ denies allegations, says children died while hunting birds
Authorities of the KEPZ, however, denied the allegations and said the children died while hunting birds.
In a statement today, the KEPZ authorities explained that the site of the incident was an abandoned, fragile sand mound where migratory birds and foxes had built nests and burrows.
"The children tried to enlarge one of the foxholes to catch birds. While digging into the unstable mound, a portion of the hill suddenly collapsed, burying them under the sand."
The authorities said hearing the cries for help, nearby children alerted locals and security personnel, who rushed to the scene and rescued the injured.
KEPZ authorities claimed that some groups were trying to falsely blame the incident on them and divert the narrative.
They clarified that although the location is within Block-C, the site of any land development work is around 100 meters west of the accident spot and that no such development is currently underway.
They also noted that the site was inspected by the upazila nirbahi officer, assistant commissioner (land), and senior officials from the Department of Environment yesterday.
