Cyclone Mocha: 3 salt farmers killed in Cox’s Bazar

Staff Reporter :
Three salt farmers were killed in the attack of Cyclone Mocha in Maheshkhali of Cox’s Bazar on Sunday.

The deceased were identified as Ridwan, 35, son of one Abul Fazal of Kalagazir Para village of Hoanak Union of Upazila; Muhammad Neshar, 32, son of one Aktar Kabir of Panirchhara village; and Md Ansar, son of one deceased Matin of Panirchhara Barghar para.

Ram Pashad Vokto, ASP of Maheshkhali Circle confirmed the matter to The New Nation on Monday.

In this regard, Mir Kashem Chowdhury, Chairman of Hoanak Union Parishad said that about 40-50 workers went to the salt field to work on Sunday morning. Among them, several workers fell ill due to cold. When they were brought to Maheshkhali Upazila Health Complex, Ridwan was declared dead by a duty doctor.

Locals recovered the body of Muhammad Neshar floating in the water around 10:30pm after he went missing while working in the salt fields, he also said.

Later, Md Ansar’s body was recovered around 11:30pm, Chairman Mir Kashem added.

Maheshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Yasin said, “I have heard about the death of three people and some sick. But I immediately don’t know why they died. Inquiries are being made in this regard.”

Meanwhile, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman said no casualties had been reported as the authorities concerned managed to move vulnerable people from cyclone-prone areas to shelters.