At least 100 injured in earthquake panic rush

At least 100 RMG workers were injured while trying to vacate a factory in Cumilla during an earthquake on Saturday.

The incident happened at the Amir Shirt Limited factory in the Chupua area of Chauddagram upazila in the morning. Three injured workers were taken to the Cumilla Medical College Hospital for treatment in this incident.

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake was felt across the country at around 9:35am on Saturday. According to eyewitnesses, victims, and hospital sources, the quake caused widespread panic among the RMG workers at the factory, who tried to vacate the building in a rush.

Due to panic, many workers jumped off of the building, and some were injured in a stampede. Eyewitnesses said that the main gate of the factory was locked, so the workers could not get out.

On information, Police, members of the Fire Service, and locals rescued the injured and brought them to the Chauddagram Upazila Health Complex. Three women were sent to the Cumilla Medical College Hospital for better treatment. Several workers also received treatments at private hospitals and clinics.

Chauddagram Upazila Health & Family Planning Officer (UH&FPO) Dr Md Golam Kibria Tipu confirmed the matter. He said 80 workers were given treatment at the health complex.

Amir Shirt Limited Assistant Vice President (AVP) Kazi Md Yusuf and SVP Shahjahan Saju said the factory buildings have ample provisions for climbing up or down, but the workers got injured because of panic. They both denied that the gate was closed.

Chauddagram Fire Service Station official Mehedi Hasan said, "The exact number of injured people has not been calculated yet. But there was no death."

/KN/