Rescue called off at Bagerhat collapse site

The rescue operation at Bagerhat's Sena Kalyan Sangstha warehouse collapse site where at least seven workers were buried alive concluded this afternoon.

          - Death toll remains at seven
          - Bagerhat authority announce Tk 20,000 compensation
          - Company to bear compensate victims
          - Internal body formed to probe incident

Talking to journalists of different news agencies, acting chair of Sena Kalyan Sangstha, Brig Gen Mohammad Selim said the rescue operations concluded around 12:35pm.

Members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, the Navy, the Army, the police and Fire Service and Civil Defence conducted the rescue operation in the sealed off the 4062sqft warehouse.

Selim said that the families of the deceased will be provided with financial assistance and medical expense of the injured will be fully covered by the army backed company.

However, he did not specify anything further in this regard. He added that the company has formed a "high powered" committee to investigate the cave in of the building.

Meanwhile, Bagerhat deputy commissioner announced Tk 20,000 compensation for all victims, our correspondent reports.

The under-construction building caved in around 1:00pm yesterday when the workers were pouring concrete for the roof. Seven people died reportedly and 45 injured.