Finance Minister, top leaders suffer fall as stage collapses in Ctg
Staff Correspondent
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and several other political leaders fell after a stage collapsed during a flood relief distribution programme in Chattogram's Chandanaish upazila on Friday.
The incident occurred around 11:30 am in Dohazari municipality while relief was being distributed among flood-affected families.
No injuries were reported from the stage collapse.
Eyewitnesses said the finance minister had just stepped onto the stage after arriving at the venue when an excessive number of local leaders, activists and guests climbed onto it, causing the structure to collapse.
Among those who fell were Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain, Chattogram-14 MP Jasim Uddin Ahmed, Patiya MP Enamul Haque and Boalkhali MP Ershad Ullah, along with other leaders present at the programme.
Chandanaish Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Abdur Rahman said that after the minister went onto the stage to distribute relief, it collapsed and everyone present fell down.
However, no one was injured. Later, once the situation was under control, relief distribution activities resumed.
Meanwhile, after the minister left the venue, local leaders began distributing relief, triggering a stampede among the beneficiaries.
At least 10 men and women, including Rasheda Akhtar, 60, of Burma Colony in Dohazari, Ayub Ali of Khagria, Urmi Akhtar of Guchchagram and Ayesha Akhtar of Ullapara in Dohazari, were reportedly injured in the ensuing scuffle.
The injured are being treated at Chandanaish Upazila Health Complex.
