Nilphamari: Several local leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami fell into a river on Wednesday after a wooden bridge collapsed during an inspection in Dimla upazila. The incident took place around 11:30 am in the Natabari area when the leaders were inspecting a bridge built by local residents over the Nautara River.

According to United News of Bangladesh, Md Abdus Sattar, Member of Parliament from the Nilphamari-1 constituency and district Jamaat Ameer, was present during the incident but escaped unhurt as the section of the bridge he was on remained intact. Unfortunately, three individuals, including the MP’s bodyguard Abdul Mannan, sustained injuries in the collapse.

Kazi Rukunuzzaman Bakul, secretary of Dimla upazila Jamaat, stated that the bridge was a community initiative, constructed with local funds due to the absence of a permanent structure in the area. He explained that the bridge gave way under the weight of the large group present during the inspection.

Among those who fell into the river were upazila Ameer Maulana Mujibur Rahman, Nayeb-e-Ameer Kazi Habibur Rahman, Bakul himself, and Dimla Sadar union Ameer Nur Mubassher. In response to the incident, the MP expressed his intention to discuss the construction of a permanent bridge with the relevant authorities.