Chinese engineer still untraced in 24 hrs

Padma bridge
File photo

There is still no sign of a 26-year-old Chinese engineer, working in the Padma Bridge project, more than 24 hours after he reportedly fell in the river near the Shimulia ferry terminal in Munshiganj's Louhajang, reports UNB.

Zhao Jianpeng was tasked with installing a power tower (number 13) of the national grid as part of the project. He had gone to the tower point for work at 5:00pm and went missing around 8:30pm Tuesday.

His colleagues alerted police after failing to locate him. On being informed, the fire service, coast guard, river police and army personnel working in the security team of the project conducted rescue operations for hours but there was no trace of him till 9:00 pm Wednesday.

It is suspected that he fell into the Padma River. However, the local and foreign engineers, who were also working there, could not confirm if Zhao fell into the river since no one saw it actually happening.

Officer in charge of Mawa river police Sirajul Kabir said the rescue operation is going on as they were yet to find the Chinese national.

"Several engineers and other workers stay at a makeshift camp near the ferry terminal in Louhajang and use boats to go to the tower point in the river daily," Sirajul said.

"On Tuesday night, Zhao went to the tower point for work but went missing around 8.30pm. His colleagues alerted us after failing to locate him," he added.