Four killed as college gate collapses

Four people were killed and 10 others injured after a portion of an under-construction college gate fell on them in Tarash upazila of Sirajganj yesterday.

Three of the four dead are Tozam Ali, 65, of Tarash upazila, Rashedul Islam, 25, of the same upazila, and Md Ashif of Natore's Singra upazila. The identity of the other could not be known immediately.

The gate of Shahid M Mansur Ali College, adjacent to Gulta Bazar, collapsed around 3:00pm when many, who went to the village market, were near the gate, said Mahabubul Alam, officer-in-charge of Tarash Police Station.

" ... the top portion of the gate made of bricks and tiles fell on the people. Three people died on the spot and another on the way to hospital," the OC said.

The injured were admitted to different hospitals. 

The college authorities were building the gate as per their design, said Md Moniruzzaman, Tarash upazila chairman. 

He blamed faulty construction work for the accident.

Talking to The Daily Star, Rezaul Karim, officer of Tarash upazila fire station, said there was a huge gathering of people in the village market as yesterday was a market day. 

As yesterday was hot, some of them were standing in the shade of the gate when its top part  collapsed, he said.

"We have visited the spot. We will investigate the incident," said Tarash Upazila Nirbahi Officer Iffat Jahan. 

Photo: Star

Despite repeated attempts, this correspondent could not contact the college authorities over phone.

Local lawmaker Abdul Aziz visited the spot and the victims' houses.