The rescue operation for bodies from the wreckage of the collapsed building Rana Plaza in Savar formally came to an end on Monday evening on the 20th day of the operation. Rescue team recovered a total of 1127 bodies so far from the debris of collapsed building. Army officials involved with the operation said they had successfully reached the basement of the eight-story building that collapsed on April 24, trapping several thousands people, especially readymade garment (RMG) workers, under the rubble.
“We have ended the rescue operation as there is no possibility of finding anybody dead or alive under the rubble,” Maj Gen Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nine Infantry Division of Bangladesh Army said at a press conference on Monday evening.
The military rescuers will hand over the site to the district administration at 6am on Tuesday (today), he added.
A total of 834 bodies have been handed over to families of the victims and 176 bodies are still unidentified.
A total of 3,553 persons were retrieved from the debris. Amongst them, 2438 persons were rescued alive and 1115 bodies were recovered, Sarwardy said.
The last survivor to be pulled out from debris was Reshma, who was rescued on the 17th day and the last body recovered from the rubble was a girl Shahinur, he added.
A total of 291 people are under treatment in different hospitals while 59 bodies are kept at the Morgues. A total of 234 unidentified bodies were buried after collecting the DNA samples.
There is no dead body at the Adhar Chandra School ground, he added.
GOC Sarwardy further said that in the first phase of the operation at total of 2437 persons recovered. Of them 381 were dead. While on the second phase from April 29 to May 20 of the operation at total of 734 bodies were recovered and a girl Reshma was rescued alive, he said.
As per the district administration information, only 98 persons are still missing, but the DNA test kept at the laboratory can confirm the missing persons, he added.
The GOC also said that information cells would be opened soon with the assistance of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at every union office.
He also said the present information cell at Rana Plaza premises will be shifted to Savar Cantonment.
He said, “the persons who are undergoing treatment in different hospital would be treated properly. They will be given jobs in phases. Those who lost their limbs will also get jobs as per their capacity.”
“A list will be made soon and it will be sent to the concerned authority to offer jobs to the affected persons. In the first phase 1000 persons will get job,” he added.
About Reshma, he said, “different organisations have said that they would take steps for her rehabilitation.”
-With The Independent input
