Rangamati: Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in Rangamati killed at least 29 people including officers and members of Bangladesh Army from Monday night till Tuesday morning. Among the deceased, 11 killed at Sadar upazila, 12 at Kaukhali upazila, and two people in Kaptai upazila.

Four Bangladesh Army members including two officers were also killed in the Manikchhari area while conducting a rescue operation, said police.

However, the Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) told NTV Online number of the casualty could not be known immediately as some of the Army members are still missing. Rescue operation is ongoing in the area.

ISPR Director Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Rashidul Hassan told NTV Online the landslide hit at about 8:00am, when a team of Army members were working to recover the Rangamati-Chittagong road, which became impassable due to mudslides. Several Army members were killed during the operation.

The deceased Army officers are, Major Mahfuz, and Captain Tanvir. Identities of two other Army members could not be known immediately. Four Army members were also injured during the accident and sent to hospital, said district superintendent of police (SP) Sayed Tariqul Hassan.

The SP said, a landslide fell on the army members while working to mend the Chittagong-Rangamati road which was shut down due to mudslides.

District’s civil surgeon Dr Shahid Talukder told NTV Online body of Captain Tavir, who was killed in the landslide, was sent to Rangamati General Hospital. Three other Army members were also admitted to the hospital.

However, around five bodies were recovered from different places of Rangamati city on Tuesday night and brought to Rangamati Sadar Hospital.

The hospital’s emergency unit authorities confirmed death of eight people.

The deceased are Ruma Akhter, Nuria Akhter, Hazera Begum, Sonali Chakma, Amit Chakma, Ayus Mallik, Liton Mallik, and Chumki Das, all are residents of Juba Unnayan and Bhedbhedi areas.

Raikhal union Chairman Chhaya Mang Marma said two people— Anuching Marma, and Niki Marma, were dead in landslide in the Karigarpara area under the union of Kaptai upazila.

Another man, named Abul Hossain, was died as tree fell on him in the upazila. One Iqbal went on missing in River Karnaphula at the upazila.

Power outage occurs in several areas of Rangamati.

Fire fighters and members of Civil Defence and other law enforcers are conducting rescue operation in several areas of the city, with the death toll expected to rise.

Rangamati Fire Service and Civil Defence authorities said extra firefighting units from Chittagong’s Hathajari also joined the rescue operation.