Six workers injured as launching girder of BRT collapses near Dhaka airport

Six workers, including three Chinese men, sustained injuries after a part of launching girder of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project collapsed near Dhaka airport this morning.

The launching girder (special type of gantry crane used for bridge construction) collapsed around 10:35am near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

Confirming the incident, Shafiqul Islam, managing director of Dhaka Bus Rapid Transit Company Limited, said that the workers were on duty when the accident happened.

Speaking about traffic movement on the road, Shafiqul said they do not think that there are risks at present.

The road is open now, and traffic movement remains restricted following the accident, he added.

Babul Mia, an operator of the control room at Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters, told The Daily Star that the injured were taken to a hospital before firemen reached the spot.

Photo: Palash Khan

Six injured workers – three Chinese and three Bangladeshis – were admitted to Evercare Hospital, according to a source of the hospital.

Of them, the condition of a Chinese worker is critical, the source said.

Meanwhile, a seven-member probe committee was formed to investigate the incident.

The probe body led by Anisur Rahman, joint secretary of the Road Transport and Highway Division, was asked to submit its report within seven working days, Shafiqul Islam, managing director of Dhaka Bus Rapid Transit Company Limited (DBRTCL), told The Daily Star.

The committee will have representatives from the division, project and consultants, he added.

PIER CAP OF BRT PROJECT COLLAPSES IN ABDULLAHPUR

A pier cap of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project collapsed in front of a market in Dhaka's Abdullahpur area.

Shafiqul Islam, managing director of Dhaka BRT Company Limited, confirmed the development to The Daily Star.

The pier cap -- moulded last night -- collapsed as its support was displaced at some point during the time, the official said.

The exact reason of the incident could not be known immediately, he added.

No casualty has been reported yet.