Wall Collapse at TCB Distribution Point in Dhaka Leaves Two Dead and Eight Injured

Photo Collected

A+ A A-

A tragic wall collapse in Dhaka’s Mirpur area claimed two lives and left at least eight others injured on Tuesday, as a crowd gathered to purchase subsidized goods from a Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) truck.

The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. behind the Mirpur University College, where residents frequently assemble to buy daily essentials at government-discounted rates. According to local police, the aging brick wall collapsed suddenly onto the queue of people waiting for provisions.

Witnesses and responding officers described a scene of chaos as the structure crumbled without warning. A police patrol team stationed nearby joined rescuers in pulling victims from beneath the debris. Among the deceased is 44-year-old Nasima Begum, a cleaner at a local vocational school who had hoped to save money on groceries to support her daughter’s education. She was pronounced dead upon arrival at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation.

The second fatality has been identified as 43-year-old Md. Firoz, a resident of Mirpur’s Shah Ali Bagh area. His body was transported to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where officials are working to coordinate with his next of kin.

Bangladeshi man suffers severe injury in landmine blast near Myanmar border

Read More

The injured, including Razia Begum, Monowara Begum, and Mosharraf Hossain, are receiving medical treatment at various facilities across the capital for injuries ranging from broken limbs to chest trauma. Survivors recounted that the victims were caught in the path of the falling masonry while waiting in line for the TCB mobile sale service.

Fire Service and Civil Defense officials, who arrived within minutes of the collapse, attributed the failure of the structure to its age and lack of structural integrity. Mo. Tanharul Islam, deputy director of the Dhaka North Fire Service, noted that the wall lacked necessary support beams or columns. While authorities believe recent rainfall may have contributed to the collapse, a formal investigation is underway to determine the extent of the negligence regarding the site’s safety.

Following the rescue operation, city crews cleared the debris from the footpath to restore movement in the area. The tragedy has sparked concerns regarding the maintenance of older structures in high-traffic public spaces, particularly where low-income residents regularly congregate for essential services.