Stampede kills 10 devotees in Bangladesh

Dhaka: At least 10 devotees died, including seven women, and more than 50 were injured in a stampede during a Hindu holy bath on the banks of Old Brahmaputra River at Langalbandh, Narayanganj district in Bangladesh on Friday morning.

Thousands thronged the Rajghat point at the banks of old Brahmaputra River for the annual ‘Ashtami Snan’.

Narayanganj Additional Superintendent of Police Md Jakaria said authorities asked devotees no to throng the site where the incident took place.

Although the local administration has arranged for 16 quays for the ritual bath, the devotees raced to Rajghat.

Devotees started coming as bathing started at 5:48 am on Friday. The flow of devotees peaked within a few hours after which the mishap took place. The bathing would continue until 6:59 am on Saturday.

Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Bandar Police Station, said the incident took place during one of the biggest Hindu ritual on Friday around 10:00 am.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Mohammad Shafique, Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police Faruque and other police high-ups visited the spot, the OC said.

A number of eyewitnesses blamed the mismanagement and departure routes to Rajghat for the deaths. Others said the lack of ambulances led to rise in the toll.

However, Narayanganj’s Additional Superintendent of Police Md Mokhlesur Rahman said, “The allegations are not true. If anyone claims that police activity increased after the accident then it is not true.”

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed sorrow over the deaths and sympathised with the families.

Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anisur Rahman made an announcement to compensate Taka 25,000 for the victims’ family on behalf of the local administration.

Langalbandh is a Hindu holy place situated on the bank of old Brahmaputra River close to Dhaka-Chittagong highway and 20 km to the southeast of Dhaka.

The city hosts the religious gathering where thousands of Hindu pilgrims from Bangladesh, India and Nepal take part in the bath. Every year in the Bengali month of Chaitra, Hindu devotees flock to the holy place to celebrate Astami Snan.