69 killed in Bangladesh landslides

Dhaka, June 13: At least 69 persons, including four soldiers, were killed in devastating landslides triggered by heavy rains in southeast Bangladesh, officials said. Heavy rains swept through the country’s three southeastern districts — Cox’s Bazaar, Bandarban and Rangamati — and triggered huge landslides early on Tuesday.  At least 35 people died in Rangamati, 27 in Chittagong and seven in Bandarban, officials said. The death toll was expected to climb, Bdnews24.com reported. Four army personnel were among the dead. They were killed during a rescue operation in Rangamati. The bodies of 39 persons were retrieved, said Disaster Magement and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya. The fire service, civil defence and police were conducting rescue operations.  Earlier, Rangamati police officer Mohammad Shahidullah said the heavy rains were disrupting rescue operations. (IANS)