Worker Killed as Septic Tank Wall Collapses at Construction Site in Morelgonj

A construction worker was killed and two others were injured after a wall of an under-construction septic tank collapsed at a madrasa construction site in Morelgonj, Bagerhat, on Saturday.

The incident occurred around noon on August 1 at Gulishakhali Fazil Madrasa in Nishanbaria Union.

The deceased was identified as Atiar Rahman, 45, son of Badr Uddin of Lebukhali village in Jashore’s Kotwali area.

According to injured worker Mominur Rahman, three workers were inside the septic tank when one of its walls suddenly collapsed under pressure from surrounding soil. Two workers managed to escape, but Atiar was trapped under the debris in water and sustained severe injuries to his arms and legs.

Morelgonj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Mahmudur Rahman said the workers were constructing the septic tank amid rain and muddy conditions when the wall gave way.

“All three workers were trapped in the water after the wall collapsed. Atiar Rahman died in the incident,” he said.

Police recovered the body and sent it to the morgue at Bagerhat Sadar Hospital for autopsy. An unnatural death case has been filed over the incident, the officer said.

The madrasa building is being constructed under the Education Engineering Department by contractor M/S Osman Ali. The project began on November 11, 2025, under a contract valued at Tk 13.784 million (Tk 1.3784 crore).

The main building work was recently completed, and workers had begun constructing the septic tank amid persistent rainfall when the accident occurred.

The incident has raised concerns about construction-site safety, particularly when excavation and underground work are carried out in waterlogged or unstable soil conditions.