Beijing won’t object to any action against Chinese contractor: Envoy

China will not object to any actions against China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) - recommended by the probe committee formed to investigate the tragic accident that took place in Uttara Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, said Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming.

Ambassador Li Jiming also expressed his grief and condolences to the families of the victims during his courtesy meeting with Road Transport and Highways Department Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Noori on Thursday at the secretariat, said a press release from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges.

A representative team of one of the construction contractors of the BRT project had arrived in Bangladesh from China for investigation on behalf of the company, Li Jiming said; adding that the delegation is ready to provide necessary assistance to the inquiry committee constituted by the Road Transport and Highways Department.

Road Transport and Highways Department Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Noori said that the entire nation is saddened by the tragic accident.

He said that safety is the most important aspect of any development work, which consists of incident investigation

"We have included an expert from BUET in the committee. It will submit a report within the next 7 days," he added. 

Strict actions will be taken if recommended by the probe committee, he added.

On 15 August, a girder of the Uttara BRT-3 project fell on a moving car killing five of a family on the spot and injuring two others. Two passengers – a newly married couple Rezaul Karim Hridoy, 26 and Riya Akter, 19 – were rescued, but the rest of the passengers – Jharna Akter, 27, her two children Zakaria, 4, and Jannat, 6, and Hridoy's father Ayub Hossain Rubel, 55, and his mother-in-law Fahima Akter, 38, died on the spot.

A case was filed against the Chinese contractor for the BRT-3 Elevated Expressway. Afran Mondal Babu, brother of one of the people killed in the accident, filed the case against CGGC under sections 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304 (causing death by negligence) of the Penal Code with Uttara West police station on Monday midnight.