Eight Rohingya Girls Die in Bangladesh Camp After Wall Collapse During Heavy Rain
The death toll has risen to eight Rohingya girls following a wall collapse at a female Quranic school (madrasa) in Camp 5 of Ukhia, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Four of the deceased have been identified, while the identities of the remaining four are yet to be confirmed. The incident occurred around 2 PM on Wednesday when a wall, built into a hillside, collapsed onto the madrasa structure due to heavy rainfall. Prior to the collapse, there were 30 children inside the school. Rescue operations were conducted by the Fire Service, camp administration, Armed Police Battalion (APBN), and Rohingya volunteers, concluding in the evening. The identified victims include 13-year-old Rashida Begum, daughter of Hasim Ullah; 13-year-old Umme Nejatul and 12-year-old Umme Salma, daughters of Abdus Shukkur; and 13-year-old Ummaisa Bibi, daughter of Md. Eliyas, all residents of Camp 5. Three other children, Asra Begum (9), daughter of Dil Mohammad of Camp 3; Begum Jan (15), daughter of Nurul Amin of Block F-1 in the same camp; and Fareesa Bibi (12), daughter of Bashir Ahmed of Block A-7 in Camp 5, were admitted to Kutupalong Friendship Hospital with serious injuries and are in critical condition. Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammad Mizanur Rahman stated that 30 students were rescued from the site, with eight confirmed dead and three severely injured hospitalized. This incident follows a separate landslide on Monday night in the camp that claimed the lives of at least eight Rohingya individuals, including women and children.
This tragic event underscores the precarious living conditions within refugee settlements, particularly concerning infrastructure safety and vulnerability to environmental factors like heavy rainfall. The collapse highlights systemic challenges in ensuring adequate shelter and structural integrity for displaced populations, potentially exacerbated by rapid settlement growth and limited resources for hazard mitigation. Future planning must prioritize robust construction standards and early warning systems for natural disasters to prevent recurrence. The incident also prompts reflection on the long-term sustainability and safety protocols governing refugee camps, emphasizing the need for continuous assessment and investment in protective measures to safeguard vulnerable residents.
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