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Rana Plaza Collapse (huge life losses)

Some one please open another thread about - Comparison between AL and BNP in their time in power.let this thread be only for savar and its victims of greedy factory owners.
 
Many still missing in Savar | The Daily Star

WEDNESDAY, MAY 01, 2013
DEATH TOLL 388
Many still missing in Savar
Relatives see no hope of getting back their dear ones alive; 4 more bodies found
M Abul kalam Azad & Akram Hosen

With unnumbered decomposed bodies remaining stuck in concrete slabs of the collapsed Rana Plaza in Savar, rescuers yesterday recovered four more bodies while removing the building debris.

With this, the number of bodies recovered rose to 388 on the seventh day of the rescue operation. No person was rescued alive in the last two days as the figure of survivors remained unchanged at 2,437, said ISPR and other sources.

Also yesterday, rescuers used two trained dogs to trace the dead.

Relatives of those still missing are losing patience. Neither the police nor the military could say the figure of the missing persons. Many estimated the number would be several hundred.

“We are not going for massive demolition since there are bodies at different places of the building. We are trying to recover the bodies without any deformation,” Lt Col Moin Uddin of Third Engineering Battalion (Savar Cantonment) told The Daily Star.

It could take another 12-15 days to remove the debris if a concerted effort is made. However, it might not be possible as the rescuers become careful whenever a body is found, he mentioned.

Debris is being transported in 20 trucks and dumped in a place near Savar Police Station.

An estimated 300-350 tonnes of concrete have been removed since heavy machines were used in the second phase of the rescue operation Sunday night. The army estimates the total concrete at around 9,000 tonnes.

Many waiting relatives of the missing garment workers intercepted the trucks on their way to the dumping site, suspecting those were carrying and hiding bodies.

However, the army officials involved in the operation ruled it out. “It would be very painful if people think this way. We are rescuing people risking our lives and this kind of thinking will hurt our mental strength,” Maj Gen Chowdhury Hasan Suhrawardy of the 9th Infantry Division told journalists at a briefing.

He said they were putting in their best efforts to rescue the bodies unhurt. About the number of missing persons, he said it would be possible to figure out the number once all the bodies are recovered and DNA tests are carried out on them.

Meanwhile, several hundred anxious people crowded Rana Plaza, Adharchandra High School and different hospitals in Savar and Dhaka to locate their missing relatives.

Among them was Razia, who has been looking for her daughter-in-law Parveen since the nine-storey building caved in on April 24.

Parveen worked on the second floor of the high rise. Her husband Zahid and other relatives were looking for her body at different hospitals, but in vain.

Kohinur, with a photograph of her missing husband in her hand, said: “My husband was a sewing operator on the sixth floor. I showed the photo and gave his name everywhere, but none could say anything.”

Yesterday, around 100 relatives of the missing victims staged a demonstration before the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the authorities hand them over the bodies of their relatives.

They also demanded the hanging of Sohel Rana, owner of Rana Plaza, which housed five garment factories, a branch of Brac Bank and a shopping complex.

In another incident, several thousand workers and relatives of the building collapse victims put up barricades at several points on the Dhaka-Aricha highway from 8:30am to noon, demanding the death penalty for Rana and arrest of his patron lawmaker Murad Jong.

Witnesses said as the agitators vandalised several vehicles, police charged batons and fired rubber bullets to disperse them.

NINE MORE BODIES IDENTIFIED

Relatives yesterday identified nine more bodies of the victims of the Rana Plaza collapse at the morgues of Dhaka Medical College (DMC) and Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC).

Following identification, they received the bodies from the college authorities for burial. The decomposed bodies were identified by the clothes, accessories and size and shape of the teeth of the victims, said morgue sources.

Mohammad Belal identified the body of his wife Dulari Begum, aged 27. He said he had bought the dress his wife was wearing when the disaster struck. He along with his relatives took the body to their village home in Naogaon for burial.

DMC sources said 46 decomposed bodies had been sent to the college till date. Of them, 21 still remained unidentified.

Sources at SSMC said they had received 23 bodies so far. Of them, six had been identified by the victims’ relatives and handed over to them for burial.
 
US offers medical support for Savar victims

US offers medical support for Savar victims
Staff Correspondent

The US government has offered Bangladesh to provide medical support for the victims of the Savar tragedy, particularly those who have lost their limbs in the country’s deadliest building collapse.

The US ambassador in Dhaka, Dan Mozena, made the offer on behalf of his government during a meeting with law minister Shafique Ahmed at the secretariat on Tuesday.

‘The US ambassador has expressed his government’s willingness to provide medical assistance to the victims of Savar building collapse. Particularly, they are interested in providing artificial limbs to those who have lost their legs and hands,’ Shafique told reporters after the meeting.

The eight-storey Rana Plaza collapsed on April 24 killing at least 387 people, mostly apparel workers and left over 2,500 survivors, many maimed or grievously injured at Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka.

Asked whether the government would accept the offer, the minister said it was yet to be decided.

He, however, evaded questions about the government’s reported refusal to accept international assistance in rescue operations in the building collapse.

He said the US also wanted that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 should be made tougher to effectively fight terrorist activities and stop their funding as well.

The anti-terrorism law would be made stringent to curb violence in the name of hartal, Shafique said replying to a question.

The minister said that the ambassador had also underlined the need for passage of the amendments to the labour law, already approved by the cabinet, for continuation of the ‘GSP facilities’ for Bangladeshi products in the US market.

Mozena said that the US would like to help Bangladesh with training to further strengthen the judiciary through alternative dispute resolution and plea bargaining system, which, he said, had revolutionised the US judiciary.

The US diplomat earlier on the day also met with food minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque at the secretariat.

In both the meetings, he had discussed about rising political violence. ‘We have said that political violence by any party is unacceptable… The opposition should be given the space to place their views,’ Mozena told reporters.
 
You guys think that white people are better in rescuing you? You have no idea what you are suggesting.
There is no way any foreign country can come in aid in 36 hours, due to distance and bureaucracy in their own country. Heavy equipment cant be flown in from USA (which is 24 hours flight), UK 8 hours flight etc. So no foreign country will be able to save a single life.
Now what left? Cleaning the rubble? Well I think all the patriotic PDF jamati veteran could extend their help and start carrying those concretes and clean them up soon instead of asking foreign help. At least do something for the country and its the time.

A certain kind of people start trolling and talking like Indians, even in a serious thread like this. This post is a perfect example.
 
THIS IS WHY FOREIGN ASSISTANCE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED -

Lessons from the tragedy

SM Ilias

The Savar rescue operation was a fiasco and we must improve disaster management before it is too late


As a former member of the Bangladesh navy and having had training in fire, safety and disater management - I deplore the shocking demise of the victims of Rana Plaza’s collapse in Savar as easily avoidable and extremely ill-managed. While this is not the first time a fire or building collapse has caused the death of many Bangladeshis, the death toll of Savar’s recent tragedy is the highest among such incidents.

The rescue operation currently running in Savar has been extremely unprofessional and uncoordinated. The lack of command and training combined with a tremendous shortage of supplies resulted in failure to deal with the crisis and subsequent death of those who survived the collapse.

Materials were collected in a piece-meal method, which indicates that the nation was not prepared to deal with any sort of disaster. The entire nation is now worried about any future disaster. It is terrifying to think of how the nation would deal with an earthquake.

To deal with the crisis, the prime minister deployed the army and other supporting units, putting them in command of the rescue operation.

Unfortunately, they were unable to manage the situation effectively, resulting in a huge civilian presence joining rescue efforts. This meant that necessary safety equipment was spread very thinly across those involved in rescue efforts.

The command unit should have cordoned off the area, allowing entry only to indivuduals engaged in the rescue. Next, a large number of sub-operation teams consisting of members of the army, navy, air force, fire brigade, police, RAB, medical team, and volunteers should have been organised. These sub-teams should have been deployed in various parts of the site to carry out search-and-rescue operations.

There was a clear lack of organisation of the search-and-rescue team, the material-removing team, the medical team, the supporting team, the material-supplying/logistic team, the water and food supplying team, the ambulance/transport control team, the oxygen/SOS medicine supplying team, the dead body monitoring and disposal team, etc.

The search for the survivors was carried out in a very haphazard, out-dated and unprofessional manner. The rescuers should have been using portable CCTV cameras with microphones and movers to find the highest possible number of survivors. The CCTV cameras should have been put through different holes to search and detect the position of the wreckage, as well as the condition of the victims trapped inside. Even a dog squad could have been used if one was already trained for such a situation.

If these methods had been utilised, the rescuers – having a clearer idea of the situation inside the building — could have taken prompt decisions on the course of action and many lives could have been saved.

Moreover, the search-and-rescue members were found using portable flashlights, which are unsuitable for such operations. They should have been using helmet-mounted search lights instead. To make matters worse, untrained people were
engaging in the rescue.

While it is a good sign that so many people were willing to help, their interference in the operation may have resulted in further loss of life. Instead of randomly joining in, they should have waited for instructions from those in charge of leading the rescue operation. What is most disturbing about this operation is that the victims’ relatives were allowed to enter the wreckage and join the search.

Their desperate cries and frantic behaviour not only emotionally disturbed the rescuers, but also obstructed the progress of the operation. These relatives should have been taken to a separate area and provided the necessary information to satisfy them mentally and morally.

The sad fact of the matter is that the standard operatiing procedure (SOP) was not followed at any level. It would have been possible to save more lives if the SOP and above mentioned methods of search and rescue had been followed.

It is alarming that if an earthquake or any such disaster were to occur, 90% of us would probably die due to poor disaster preparedness and inadequate rescue operation equipment. The recent tragedy of Savar is yet another wake-up call for us. We should not wait any more. It is time we trained and prepared ourselves in all respects to face any sort of disaster.

I would like to bring to the notice of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry the following few recommendations:

- A joint, mock nationwide disaster exercise should be conducted in which defense forces, police, BGB, fire brigade, medical services and several other sections will participate and learn to coordinate and handle crises. There should also be periodic refersher exercises to check and improve efficiency.
- The use of modern search and rescue technology be made mandatory.
- Logistic arrangments and an abundance of all necessary working equipment and material may be kept in ready stock for immediate use.
- Purchase and maintain an abundant store of digging/breaking instruments, helmets with search lights, etc.
- The use of a general information board by the monitoring cell indicating the operation activities and providing information to the public.
- Adequate provision of food, water, medication, etc, during such disasters to trapped victims.
- All sorts of propaganda be resisted through an immediate, justified statement to avoid aggravating the situation.
- Practice during mock exercises of providing necessary directives to people engaged in the operation, and practice of other responsible persons about being cautious in providing any sensitive statements.
- In the event of a disaster management crisis, all talk shows should be held with positive intentions in order to avoid aggravating the public and hindering an effective operation.
- All locally and internationally trained professionals should be called upon to share their knowledge and experiences on how to operate a highly effective disaster management operation. Regular seminars should be held as well.
- Seminars at different levels may be organised at regular intervals to enrich knowledge on disaster management.
- An official press briefing should be arranged at the end of every disaster operation that pinpoints shortcomings and future remedies.
- Performance of case studies on every inquiry report and implement the best recommendations.
- Formation of an advisory committe of highly qualified disaster management professionals.
- The dog squad of army/Rab should be trained and utilised to expedite search and rescue operations.
- All personal safety precautions should be taken by all involved, including use of appropriate safety gear.

The nation is grateful and appreciates the wholehearted efforts and immediate action taken from all sides to save many lives during the Savar disaster. Thanks to all for their support/assistance in helping survivors and continuing rescue operations.

Discipline, coordination, better organising capacity and timely action are the prime factors in conducting any disaster operation.

Training on these issues is a continuous process to enrich and refresh knowledge and produce an effective result. Awareness and preparedness are the most effective tools in saving lives.

Finally, let us pray for the departed souls that they may find eternal peace, and may those undergoing treatment be blessed with early recovery.

May Allah give strength and support to distressed families in the nation.

Commander S. M. ILIAS (E), BN (Retd) is a former Navy Officer.

Lessons from the tragedy | Dhaka Tribune
 
You guys think that white people are better in rescuing you? You have no idea what you are suggesting.
There is no way any foreign country can come in aid in 36 hours, due to distance and bureaucracy in their own country. Heavy equipment cant be flown in from USA (which is 24 hours flight), UK 8 hours flight etc. So no foreign country will be able to save a single life.
Now what left? Cleaning the rubble? Well I think all the patriotic PDF jamati veteran could extend their help and start carrying those concretes and clean them up soon instead of asking foreign help. At least do something for the country and its the time.

Sorry...I'm obsessed with my people not the white. All the time I tried to say "rescue as many as possible" and their assistance could be a boost or technical help would enrich our rescuers for future similar disasters.

There's no point for politics....all Bangladeshi people got engaged there, what do you mean by PDF jamati veteran? Being not with your line of thoughts one is jamati....it's mean. Just take it as debate.
 
Bangladesh 'slave labour' condemned by Pope

Pope Francis has denounced as "slave labour" the conditions of workers caught in a deadly building collapse in Bangladesh last week.

More than 400 people are confirmed to have died in the collapse of the Rana Plaza building near the capital, Dhaka.

It housed several clothing factories, some supplying Western retailers.

At May Day parades in Dhaka, marchers demanded the death penalty for the building's owner and better conditions for workers.

The Pope said he had been shocked by reports that some of the labourers had been paid just 38 euros ($50) a month.

"Today in the world this slavery is being committed against something beautiful that God has given us - the capacity to create, to work, to have dignity," the Pope said at a private Mass.

"Not paying a fair wage, not giving a job because you are only looking at balance sheets, only looking to make a profit, that goes against God," he was quoted as saying by Vatican radio.

'Better safety'
At least 410 people are confirmed to have died and more than 140 are missing following the collapse of the eight-storey building a week ago, police and army officials said. Some 2,500 people were injured.

It was the country's worst industrial disaster.

More than 30 of those killed, whose bodies have not been identified, were buried in a mass funeral on Wednesday.

In Dhaka, an estimated 20,000 people took part in the main May Day march, while separate demonstrations were held in other parts of the capital and elsewhere.

"I want the death penalty for the owner of the building," said one marcher, 18-year-old garment factory worker Mongidul Islam Rana.

"We want regular salaries, raises and absolutely we want better safety in our factories."

Others in Dhaka held banners with the words: "Hang the killers, Hang the factory owners."

Speaking at a rally in the industrial township of Narayanganj, the leader of Bangladesh's main opposition party, Khaleda Zia, alleged that the government was hiding the real casualty figures from the building collapse.

She also claimed that if the army had been given control of the rescue operation earlier, more lives could have been saved.

The European Union has said it is considering "appropriate action" to encourage improvements in working conditions in Bangladeshi factories.

It said its actions might include the use of its trade preference system, which gives Bangladesh duty- and quota-free access to EU markets.

Bangladesh's garment industry makes up almost 80% of the country's annual exports and provides employment to about four million people.

However, it has faced criticism over low pay and limited rights given to workers, and for the often dangerous working conditions in factories.

Both Primark, which has a large presence in the UK, and Canadian company Loblaw had clothing made in the Rana Plaza, and have said they will offer aid to victims and their families.

Rana Plaza owner Mohammed Sohel Rana, a local leader of the youth wing of the ruling Awami League party, is in police custody.

A total of eight people, including factory owners and engineers, have been arrested for alleged negligence.

Source: BBC News - Bangladesh 'slave labour' condemned by Pope
 
Garments workers indeed have been made slave labors. They are virtually enslaved by the factory owners' callousness and greed. Remember the 2012 Tazreen fire. Very common for all the high-rise buildings in the country, there was no emergency exit there, too. But, the owner had a standing order to lock the main entrance during working hours so that any worker cannot go out even to toilet or drink water.

When fire broke out, the main gate was under lock and there was no emergency exit. As a result, 112 people died there. In case of Rana Plaza, I believe, many lives were saved only because the sewing machines and tables were here and there on the floors. So, the concrete slabs could not fall directly upon the workers. Without these tables and sewing machines, the concrete slabs would have flattened all the people working inside.
 
I have heard in the news in the US, around 400 confirmed dead and around 1000 missing. So the total death toll is likely to be more than 1400? Can someone please give us the latest death toll and missing from Bangladesh local news?
 
So if the Western companies decide to move out of BD or reduce their business there, won't it be harmful for the economic growth of the country? This seems like a real double edged sword.
 
So if the Western companies decide to move out of BD or reduce their business there, won't it be harmful for the economic growth of the country? This seems like a real double edged sword.

Western companies will not withdraw completely. They may limit orders to more established companies that have better safety and labor practices.

I am guessing that these companies and buying houses will start looking at building design and their structural soundness, fire safety etc., before placing orders.

Also, some loss of business will prompt govt. and BGMEA to improve the situation.

In the long term, this disaster could become an opportunity to build a more sound infrastructure and thus a better foundation base to build a much bigger garment industry in Bangladesh. That should be a fitting tribute to the victims.
 
I have heard in the news in the US, around 400 confirmed dead and around 1000 missing. So the total death toll is likely to be more than 1400? Can someone please give us the latest death toll and missing from Bangladesh local news?

Officially 451 dead-bodies recovered so far. According to 9th div GOC 149 are missing (compare with 1300 approx ).

When the first phase of search & rescue operation ended death toll was 398, then all volunteers were taken out of the site and within 12 hrs death toll decreased from 398 to 350.
 

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