Landslide Strikes School in Cox's Bazar
A devastating landslide struck a girls' school within a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, claiming the lives of seven students and a teacher. The Islamic study center was engulfed by mud and debris on Wednesday afternoon, leading to a desperate rescue operation.
Monsoon Rains and Rescue Efforts
The landslide occurred after several days of relentless monsoon rains, which have caused multiple deadly landslides in the area. Rescuers managed to pull 13 individuals from the mud that covered their school structure, with eight confirmed dead, according to Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner.
Panna Akhter, a local district officer, revealed that the victims included young children, some as young as seven years old. Five survivors were transported to the hospital for medical attention.
Impact on the Rohingya Community
Cox's Bazar hosts over a million Rohingya refugees, who fled violence in Myanmar. The region is known as the world's largest refugee settlement. Since Sunday, the monsoon rains have resulted in other landslides that killed at least eight more refugees, including five children.
The Rohingya, primarily Muslims, fled Myanmar following a military crackdown in 2017 that led to mass killings and displacement. They have faced harsh living conditions in Bangladesh, residing in temporary shelters made of tarpaulin and bamboo on unstable hillsides.
Ongoing Weather Challenges
With more rain forecasted, authorities have issued warnings for additional landslides and flooding. Efforts are underway to evacuate families from high-risk areas to mitigate further tragedies.
Source: Original Article
