A construction worker died after falling from the under-construction library building at Jahangirnagar University (JU) on Friday.

The deceased was identified as Md Ariful Islam, 40, hailing from Shailkupa upazila in Jhenaidah district.

Ariful fell from the fourth floor of the lecture theatre section of the library building around 8:30am in the Bot Tola area of the campus, said witnesses.

Ariful was initially taken to the university medical centre and then  to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar where he succumbed to his injuries around 4:30pm.

Dr Ningtom, duty physician at the JU medical centre, said "A group of workers brought him in around 11am. They said he had fallen from a height. He had facial injuries and lost several teeth. We immediately sent him to Enam Medical College Hospital in the university’s ambulance.”

The library construction is being implemented by Anik Trading Corporation Ltd.

Asked about the incident, Mominul Karim, chief engineer of the contractor firm, said, “Currently, our work there is on hold. I’m in Dhaka, but I was informed that some workers were still present at the site. I was told that a worker died after falling. I don’t have further details yet. We will look into the matter.”

JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan expressed deep sorrow and frustration over not being informed earlier.

“It’s unfortunate that such a tragic incident happened on the campus and I was not notified until late at night. I have called an emergency administrative meeting at 10am on Saturday. Besides compensation, we must ensure that those responsible face justice,” he said.