Korean investor critically injured in elephant attack at Chattogram's KEPZ
Korean investor critically injured in elephant attack at Chattogram's KEPZ
The Business Standard
September 8, 2024
See link
https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/korean-investor-critically-injured-elephant-attack-chattograms-kepz-936296
for photo.
A Korean investor identified as Dae Hyun Kang sustained critical injuries
in an elephant attack at the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) in
Chattogram's Anwara upazila yesterday evening (7 September).
The attack occurred around 5:30pm, leaving him critically injured.
Kang, who lives in Chattogram city, was rescued and admitted to Apollo
Imperial Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment in the
Critical Care Unit (CCU).
Confirming the incident, Mushfiqur Rahman, Deputy General Manager of KEPZ,
told The Business Standard that Kang had visited KEPZ to play golf.
"He was walking on the golf course after playing when an elephant suddenly
emerged from the nearby forest and attacked him," Rahman said.
"Security staff immediately rescued Kang and rushed him to the hospital.
Doctors have confirmed that four of his ribs are fractured, and he has
multiple injuries across his body. His condition remains critical," Rahman
added.
Dipannita Bhattacherjee, wildlife and biodiversity conservation officer of
the Chattogram Forest Department, pointed out that the KEPZ was built on
land that used to be the natural habitat of these elephants.
"The KEPZ authorities and local people have been requesting the relocation
of a herd of four elephants, but it is not feasible to move them from their
natural habitat," she said.
She said the herd lived in the forests of Anwara and Karnaphuli.
"These elephants frequently venture into local areas, damaging crops and
private properties and injuring residents. The Forest Department often has
to compensate the victims of these attacks," she said.
In response to the ongoing issue, the Forest Department has organised
several awareness programs to train KEPZ security personnel to deter
elephants and avoid attacks.
"We need to explore alternative solutions, such as ensuring the elephants
have enough food within the forest so they don't feel compelled to venture
out," Bhattacherjee suggested.
The presence of wild elephants has become a source of concern for the
workers and employees of KEPZ, they said.
"The fear of elephant attacks is constant because it is difficult to
predict from which direction the elephants will come. Over the past five
years, they have caused significant damage to the greenery at KEPZ,
destroying thousands of trees," DGM of KEPZ Mushfiqur Rahman explained.
He further mentioned that the KEPZ authorities have repeatedly contacted
the government to take action, offering their full cooperation in
relocating the elephants.