Bangladeshi worker dies in Malaysia

Four construction workers including a Bangladeshi were killed after the elevator they were in fell from 13th floor at an apartment construction site in Putrajaya city of Malaysia today.

The Bangladeshi was identified as Manchur, 40, who hailed from Ullapara upazila in Sirajganj, Sayedul Islam, counsellor (Labour Wing) at Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, told The Daily Star over phone.

“Three Indonesian workers died on the spot, while our Bangladeshi national died at a Putrajaya hospital,” he added.

His body was kept at the hospital’s mortuary and would be sent to Bangladesh by this week. He had been working legally as a construction worker. His family will get financial assistances, Sayedul Islam said.

Abdul Razak Abdul Majid, Putrajaya police assistant commissioner, said the elevator fell because of an apparent mechanical malfunction around 10:45am (local time) today.

He said the elevator had a maximum lifting capability of 2,000kg and was used to transport cargo and workers.

“All four workers were in the elevator with around 1,200kg of cement bags when the accident happened, and we believe it was caused by a malfunction in the pulley mechanism,” said Abdul Razak.