Risking their lives and braving unbearable stench of rotting
corpses hundreds of rescue workers, engaged in salvaging lives from the debris
of wreckage at Savar, are tirelessly working round the clock for the past four
days.
These volunteers were the first to arrive at the site of the
rescue after the building collapsed on Wednesday. They have been working
shoulder to shoulder with the trained professionals of the Armed Forces and the
Fire Service and Civil Defense
Ejajuddin, a 30 year old man of muscular built was lying
before physicians in front of the devastated structure. His clothes were
covered in dust and debris making him appear almost like a wounded soldier.
Ejaj had just come out of the pile of debris with his leg
bleeding. He received treatment for about 20-25 minutes. Then he darted back
enthusiastically to renew his mission.
Ejaj told bdnews24.com, “It has been three days since I
joined the rescue effort. At times my body gives up, but my spirit drags me on.
Apart from risk there is this putrid stench inside, but in the hope of saving
another life I move on.”
Their only protection against the stench there are thin
masks. Many are not bothering to use that even.
He did not realize when and how he hurt his leg. He came out
to get some primary medical attention once he spotted the wound.
Ejajuddin is a purchase manager for a private company who
came to join the rescue operation voluntarily.
There are hundreds of volunteers like him working inside
Rana Plaza looking for survivors under its debris.
They are active everywhere. As soon as they spot any
survivor, they run to him with water and oxygen cylinder. When going gets
tough, they are seen rushing with tools to break concrete.
And for those frantically looking for news of their missing
relatives and friends, they are their source of information and hope.
A woman who was looking for her sister was seen running to
one of these volunteers, as soon as he emerged from the debris, in a faint hope
of getting some news about her sister Sheema.
“Brother please find my sister. She is trapped beside a room
next to a bathroom. Please make an announcement, you are my last hope,” she
pleaded.
News of Seema’s rescue came soon afterwards. The woman’s
face lit up with a priceless smile as she rushed to CMH where her wounded
sister was taken.
Ahman Hossain, a cook from Manikganj, said he was involved
in the rescue of almost 300 people
Ahmad said he has been continuously working since he joined
the rescue mission on Friday. He said he was involved in a similar rescue
mission when a building in Chittagong’s Hamzarbag collapsed. He is using his
that experience to help the people in Savar.
Explaining the risk they took to reach the basement of the
building he said,“ we brought out 12 survivors trapped on the 2nd floor through
small hole.”
Commander of the 9th Division of Bangladesh Army, Mej. Gen.
Hassan Suhrawardy, who is coordinating the operation, praised the work of the
volunteers.
“This operation is being conducted with trained commandos
and regular people. The contributions of these trained and untrained
participants are immense in this rescue effort. They are showing immense
courage”
“Their effort will make Bangladesh a model of human
endurance, courage and strength though we do not have practical experience to
deal with such crisis”, he added.
Their bravery often does not get mentioned in the official
press briefings, but that does not deter any of them from risking their lives
to save others.
The respect and love they get from the people and smile
their deed bring to the distraught are their trophies and citation.
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