Stage collapses during finance minister's relief distribution programme
MPs and local political leaders also climbed onto the stage, which later collapsed under the weight of the large number of people at around 11:30am
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury fell after a stage collapsed during a flood relief distribution programme in Dohazari Municipality of Chattogram's Chandanaish this morning (17 July).
According to locals, the minister walked onto the stage after getting out of his vehicle. MPs and local political leaders also climbed onto the stage, which later collapsed under the weight of the large number of people at around 11:30am
The minister distributed relief to several people from the damaged stage before leaving for Satkania.
The minister's Assistant Private Secretary Mohammad Selim told The Business Standard that the stage collapsed because of the pressure from the large number of political leaders. He said it was a small stage and no casualties were reported. He added that the minister continued distributing relief at the site.
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Chandanaish Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Abdur Rahman said that although the stage collapsed, no one fell to the ground. He said the minister left for Satkania after completing the relief distribution.
Earlier in the day, the minister distributed relief in front of Mahmudun Nabi Chowdhury School in Maij Para and at Hadi Para in Patenga.
He said dry food, lentils and other essential items had been distributed among affected people so far, while arrangements had been made to provide cooked meals to around 40,000 people. Relief efforts would continue until the situation returned to normal.
He also said rehabilitation efforts would begin immediately afterwards, including the distribution of fertiliser, seeds and other agricultural inputs, while the government was prepared to tackle any post-flood health risks with adequate medicines and medical services.
