The roof of a five-storey cement factory under construction in Bangladesh has collapsed, killing at least four workers and trapping many others, an official said.

The death toll from cyclone Sidr which hit Bangladesh’s coast with winds of 150 mph has risen to at least 1,100.

A POWERFUL cyclone packing 240kmh winds slammed into Bangladesh last night, flattening homes, toppling trees and power poles, and forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee for shelters in this low-lying nation.

A cyclone slammed into Bangladesh tonight, tearing down houses, toppling trees and power poles, and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee.

More than 600,000 coastal villagers took shelter inland today as a cyclone rapidly approached Bangladesh’s south-western shores, spawning cold drizzles, strong winds and high waves, a weather official said.