CHATTOGRAM, May 14, 2018 (BSS) – At least ten women mostly aged died and nearly fifty others reportedly received injuries in stampede and ‘heatstroke’ while collecting zakat and iftar items in Satkania upazila of the district this morning, officials said.
The appalling incident took place as several thousands of people gathered at a madrasa field in Nalua Union’s Gatiadanga area for taking essentials ahead of the holy month Ramadan, said police and district administration officials.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Chattogram Ilias Hossain after visiting the place of occurrence told BSS that they have found ten bodies mostly elderly women.
However the identity of the victims could not be known immediately.
Eyewitnesses and local administration officials said as part every year’s initiatives, Kabir Steel Re-rolling Mills (KSRM) authorities arranged a function for distributing zakat and iftar items among poor and distressed people before Ramadan.
Nearly 40,000 people gathered at the madrasa field since Sunday night to receive the iftar materials but at one stage, the awful incident took place today, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Satkania Rafiqul Islam.
“The reason behind the incident is yet to be ascertained,” said Chattogram Additional Superintendent of Police (South) Emran Bhuiyan.
But police suspect in preliminary investigation that the incident might have been taken place due to a series of stampede coupled with heat stroke, he added.
The injured persons are being treated at different local clinics and hospital.
Superintendent of Chattogram Police Nur-e-Alam Mina also visited the spot.
A-five member inquiry committee, headed by additional district Magistrate Masadul Kabir, has been formed to probe the incident, DC Ismail said.
The committee has been asked to submit its report within seven working days, he said.