Patharghata wall collapse victim families in shock

Sadia Begum, wife of Nurul Islam who was killed in a wall collapse following what has been primarily assessed as a gas pipeline explosion, wails in Patharghata, Chattogram on 17 November 2019. Photo: Jewel Shill
Sadia Begum, wife of Nurul Islam who was killed in a wall collapse following what has been primarily assessed as a gas pipeline explosion, wails in Patharghata, Chattogram on 17 November 2019. Photo: Jewel Shill

Two of the victims among the seven who were killed in a wall collapse caused by a gas pipeline explosion at Patharghata, Chattogram on Sunday morning have been identified.

Family members of the people who sustained injuries in a wall collapse following what has been primarily assessed as a gas pipeline explosion in Patharghata, Chattogram wait eagerly in front of the emergency section of a hospital on 17 November 2019. Photo: Jewel Shill
Family members of the people who sustained injuries in a wall collapse following what has been primarily assessed as a gas pipeline explosion in Patharghata, Chattogram wait eagerly in front of the emergency section of a hospital on 17 November 2019. Photo: Jewel Shill

They are Nurul Islam, 31, a carpenter from Shah Amanat Bridge area of the city and Annie Barua, 41, head teacher of a government primary school in Patiya.

Nurul Islam's wife Sadia Sultana and family members identified him at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH).

Fire service men drive rescue operations after a gas pipeline explodes along Brickfield Road in Patharghata, Chattogram on 17 November 2019. Photo: Jewel Shill
Fire service men drive rescue operations after a gas pipeline explodes along Brickfield Road in Patharghata, Chattogram on 17 November 2019. Photo: Jewel Shill

Nurul, father of two, was on his way to work in the morning, said Saiful Islam, father-in-law of Nurul Islam. "How can Sadia survive now?" he cried.

Sadia and her child were crying incessantly at the hospital.

Fire service men drive rescue operations after a gas pipeline explodes along Brickfield Road in Patharghata, Chattogram on 17 November 2019. Photo: Jewel Shill
Fire service men drive rescue operations after a gas pipeline explodes along Brickfield Road in Patharghata, Chattogram on 17 November 2019. Photo: Jewel Shill

The body of the other deceased, Annie Barua, mother of two, was recognised by her husband Palash Barua and other family members at the hospital.

She was on her way to the school, said one of her relatives Pranab Barua.

The accident took place as a gas pipeline on the ground floor of a five-story building owned by Dhona Barua along Brick Field road exploded, according to police. Following the blast, the wall of a building collapsed and fell on both the road and another building.

Fire service men drive rescue operations after a gas pipeline explodes along Brickfield Road in Patharghata, Chattogram on 17 November 2019. Photo: Jewel Shill
Fire service men drive rescue operations after a gas pipeline explodes along Brickfield Road in Patharghata, Chattogram on 17 November 2019. Photo: Jewel Shill

At least 10 people have been wounded among whom several are reportedly in a critical condition.