N\\\'ganj holy bath stampede kills 10

FE Team | Published: March 28, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

NARAYANGANJ, Mar 27 (Agencies): At least 10 devotees were trampled to death and 30 others injured during 'Astami Snan' at Langalbandh under Bandar upazila of Narayanganj on Friday.
Astami Snan is one of the major religious festivals of the Hindu community.
The deceased were Nitai Chandra Das, Babul Biswas of Madaripur district, Ranjit Mallik of Chandina upazila, Kanan Bala of Daudkandi upazila, Tulshi Debnath of Meghna upazila in Comilla district, Bhagabati Das of Dhanmondi, Rahi of Lalbagh in the capital, Malati Das of Manikganj district, Bhanumati Das of Kabirhat uapzila in Noakhali district and an 11-year old unidentified girl.
Officer-in-charge of Bandar Police Station Nazrul Islam said the tragic incident occurred in a crowd at Rajghat as thousands of Hindu devotees gathered there on the occasion of the annual open bath festival.
Local administration prepared 16 quays this year but most went to Rajghat, the ancient one, considering it sacred.
A bailey bridge is located about 50 yards from the quay. Devotees have to cross it to go to Rajghat.
A shopkeeper, not far from the bridge, said the stampede started after rumours spread that the bridge was collapsing.
"People suddenly started running for their lives before anything was clear," Shahabuddin said. "Some came to my shop saying the bridge had collapsed.
"Many trampled me and my employee."