Police say victims were mostly poor, emaciated women; death toll likely to rise

A stampede during a Ramadan charity handout killed at least 23 people in Bangladesh on Friday as hundreds of poor people tried to get free clothing, police said.

The stampede in the northern city of Mymensingh erupted when crowds of people tried to force their way into a factory compound through a small gate after massing outside before dawn.

Television footage from the site showed scenes of devastation, with hundreds of torn and blood-spattered sandals abandoned at the gate of the chewing tobacco factory, which is located around 120 kilometers north of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.

"Most of the dead are poor and emaciated women," said Mymensingh Police Chief Moinul Haque. He put the number of injured at more than 50.

Kamrul Islam, the senior officer at a police station near the factory, said the death toll was likely to rise further.

"Some people had taken the bodies of their relatives before police arrived at the scene," Islam said.

Many of the victims were ferried by cycle rickshaws to a nearby hospital with television footage showing relatives rushing through the entrance and corridors, cradling the lifeless bodies of their loved ones.

"My wife had gone there to collect some clothes for herself and for our children," Mohammad Robiul, a rickshaw-puller, told the Somoy Television news channel.

"I don't know what will happen to my kids," Robiul added before he broke down in tears.

A witness told the bdnews24 website that the stampede started when a number of people fell to the ground as a melee erupted.

"As the gate was opening, everybody ran toward it, pushing and shoving each other and then they started falling," an unnamed witness said.

"Once one person fell to the ground, another 15 to 20 people fell, too. The people got killed when they closed the gate."

Factory owner arrested

Police and local officials said that the owner of the factory and six other people have been arrested for failing to ensure public safety.

"Legal action will be taken against them," District Governor Mustakim Billah said.

A special police committee has been set up to investigate the tragedy and is set to report its findings within the next three days.

Police said up to 1,500 people had massed outside the factory at around 4:45 am after the owners had announced they would distribute free clothes to poor people in accordance with Islamic ritual.

Rich Bangladeshis often distribute free clothes to poor people during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began on June 19.

But the handouts have sparked several deadly stampedes over the years.

Factory safety has been a major issue in Bangladesh since the collapse of a clothing manufacturing complex in April 2013 that left more than 1,100 people dead.

AFP - AP