Death toll rises to eight in Rohingya camp landslide

The death toll from a devastating landslide at a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar has risen to eight, with five others rescued and receiving treatment in hospital. 

The tragedy struck a religious school in Ukhiya on Wednesday afternoon amid continuous heavy rainfall.

The accident occurred next to the Khatijatul Mahila Hefzkhana in Rohingya Camp No. 5. A section of the hillside gave way, causing the boundary wall of the Hefzkhana to collapse onto the adjacent Maktab. 

At the time of the disaster, more than 30 children were inside the building studying the Quran.

Panic ensued immediately following the collapse. Upon receiving word of the incident, two units of the Fire Service, alongside members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), local Rohingya volunteers, and workers from various humanitarian organisations, launched a frantic rescue operation to pull survivors from beneath the rubble.

Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Md. Mizanur Rahman confirmed the updated death toll of eight at 6pm on Wednesday.

He hinted that the figure could rise further. 

Earlier in the afternoon, APBn Commander and Additional DIG Md. Siraj Amin had placed the preliminary death toll at five, explaining that a part of the hill had collapsed due to the torrential rain.

Among the victims identified so far are Rashida Begum, 13, Umme Nezatul, 13, Umme Salma, 12, Umaisa Bibi, 13, and another child whose identity has not yet been confirmed. 

The names of the remaining deceased have not been released. 

Ukhia Fire Service Station Officer Dollar Tripura confirmed that recovery efforts were ongoing as emergency services worked to clear the debris.