A fire at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital in northern Bangladesh triggered panic and a deadly stampede Monday evening, killing six people, including a child, and injuring at least 20 others.
The fire broke out at about 6 p.m. in the hospital’s new building, prompting patients, relatives and others inside to rush toward the stairways in an attempt to evacuate.
As a large number of people tried to descend at the same time, a stampede occurred on the stairs, according to hospital authorities.
Dr. Zakiul Islam, deputy director of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, confirmed that six people had died.
The victims were identified as Hazera Begum, 50; Shahjahan, 40; Ramzan, 38; Jahanara, 50; and Kulsum, 35. An unidentified child was also among those killed.
Panic on the Stairway
News of the fire quickly spread through the hospital, causing panic among patients and their relatives.
Many people attempted to leave the building at once, creating intense congestion on the stairway. At least 20 people were injured in the rush, with six later confirmed dead.
Fire Service units were dispatched to the hospital after receiving reports of the blaze and eventually brought the fire under control.
A Fire Service official said an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire. However, authorities had not reached a final conclusion about the cause, pending a full investigation.
There was also conflicting preliminary information about where the fire started.
Hospital authorities said the fire originated on the eighth floor of the new building, while preliminary Fire Service information referred to the third floor.
Authorities had not immediately provided further details about the conditions of the injured or the extent of damage caused by the fire.
COMMENTS