Building collapse death toll hits 5 in Salmaniya

Death toll from the collapse of a building in Salmaniya last month has risen to five Wednesday evening with the death of a Bangladeshi national, who sustained major burn injuries in the incident. Three others are still receiving treatment at hospitals with varying degrees of injuries.

Sheikh Mohammed Tauhidul Islam, the Labour Counsellor at the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Embassy to the Kingdom told tribune, “The individual who lost his life on Wednesday evening was identified as Selim Habi Ulla.” Selim Habi Ulla was admitted to BDF hospital’s burn unit with 70 per cent burn injuries and was in a critical state. A Maison by profession, Habi Ulla was in Bahrain since 2012.

He is survived by his wife and three sons, who are now in Bangladesh. “Further there are three others who are still hospitalized with two in Salmaniya Medical Complex and one in BDF Hospital,” the Labour Counsellor said. The embassy, the Counsellor told Tribune, has arranged accommodation for those who lost everything in the blast.

“Others are living in their own accommodation, with their relatives.” The Counsellor also confirmed that the embassy has decided to provide 500 dinars to the families of those who lost their lives in the mishap, 200 BD to individuals who sustained burns and other injuries and 100 BD to others who were living in the building.

“The five men who lost their lives in the building collapse were all undocumented. Their bodies were repatriated back to their home countries at the embassy’s cost.” The embassy, Sheikh Mohammed said, is planning awareness programmes in the Capital with other social organisations and Ministry to compel owners and residents there to follow safety requirements to avoid such accidents.

Tribune reported a similar incident on October 9 where a gas cylinder explosion resulted in the collapse of an entire two-storey building in Salmaniya which further damaged several shops around it affecting the livelihoods of almost 180 labourers.