Karim and Shammi became a couple three years ago. They also had a 16-month-old child. Karim used to work in a travel agency for a small salary. Still they were doing well.
On Monday (June 10), Sehri Khan, husband and wife, intending to observe the Nafal fast of the month of Zilhaj. After the Fajr prayer, they fell asleep with their only child. Karim-Shammi couple went to eternal sleep from that sleep. With an only child.
At 7 in the morning, they were crushed to death by landslides. Relatives and neighbors are stunned by the tragic death of husband and wife and only child. Karim and Shammi’s parents are fainting again and again. They cannot accept the death of their children in front of their eyes.
The house of Karim-Shammi couple is in Chamelibagh area of Sylhet city. Karim’s full name is Agha Karim Uddin (30). His wife Shammi Akhtar Ruji (24) is the son of Agha Ayub Uddin of the same area. ‘Aga’ is a part of their ancestral name.
Karim Uddin’s mother Yasmin Begum (65), elder brother Agha Rahim Uddin (38), his wife Tahmina Begum (30), daughters Tahsina (10), Tasnia (5) and six-month-old baby Taskia survived the incident.
Karim Uddin’s mother Yasmin Begum cannot accept the death of her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. He was also buried in the landslide. But luckily survived. He was repeatedly fainting while moaning.
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Bodies of parents and children were recovered from landslides
Yasmin Begum said that her two sons (Karim and Rahim) lived separately under the same roof. He lives with his elder son Rahim Uddin. The younger son Karim Uddin lived separately with his wife and children. He woke up around 6 am before the incident. Meanwhile, Karim was sleeping with his wife and children. After walking on the balcony of the house for some time, he was also preparing to sleep again. At that time, he realized that something was falling on top of the house with a loud noise. In an instant, the mound collapsed into the entire room.
The little boy’s room was on the inside. As the mound collapsed, everything, including the tin in their room, was first mixed with the ground. Realizing the incident, the eldest son’s wife and children and Yasmin Begum tried to come out through the gap in the ground. But could not get out. Later neighbors and locals went and rescued them. But the elder son got stuck in the ground up to his neck. Locals also tried to rescue him. But they could not come out as the little boy was sleeping with his wife and children.
65-year-old Yasmin Begum said, ‘About 20 years ago, this hill collapsed once. Then one died. After that, there was no chance of any part of the hill collapsing. We have been living safely so far. But today I’m done. ‘
Apart from Karim-Rahim’s family in Tilladh, the neighboring houses of Mahmud Mia, Babul Mia, Shafiq Mia and Shamim Uddin were also damaged. But none of them were injured.
Shammi’s father Agha Ayubuddin said Shammi is the second of his two sons and three daughters. The younger daughter is married. Eldest daughter Sumi Akhtar Shimoo’s engagement has been completed. He is scheduled to be handed over on the 12th. But it’s all over.
He said that he came to see his daughter and grandson on Sunday (June 9) afternoon. His daughter was very religious. He was fasting all the Nafals of the month of Zilhaj. Even today he was sleeping after eating Sehri. But who knew that everyone would have to leave Tiladhas like this.
Fire service, police, city corporation workers started rescue operations after receiving the information about the collapse. As the rescue work could not be completed till 11 o’clock, the army joined the rescue work. After two and a half hours of efforts by the army, the bodies of the husband, wife and child were recovered from under the ground after six hours. Later the three bodies were sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. From there, the body was handed over to their families in the afternoon, said Zafar Imam, in-charge of the hospital’s police box.
After the rescue operation, Brigadier General Farooq Ahmed of the 17th Infantry Division of the army said, “We started the operation around 11 o’clock after receiving information about the disappearance of three people from the same family buried in the landslide.” At first, our various units started rescue operations by observing the surrounding area. Three people were rescued after two and a half hours of effort. Later our medical team members checked up and confirmed their death. Later the three bodies were sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.
Deputy Director of Sylhet Fire Service. Moniruzzaman said, first three teams of fire service participated in the rescue operation. Later another unit was added from South Surma. After that, around 11 o’clock, the army members also started the rescue operation. Three bodies were recovered with everyone’s efforts.
He said the mound would be at least 400 feet high. All those living at the foot of these hills are at risk.
SR/JIM
