2 dead in stampedes, several injured in bridge collapse at Ctg Eid-e-Miladunnabi procession
The second incident took place when a section of an iron bridge near Muradpur gave way, causing a stampede
Two participants died in stampedes while several others were injured after a bridge collapsed today (6 September) during an Eid-e-Miladunnabi procession, called Jashn-e-Julus, in Chattogram's Muradpur.
The second incident took place when a section of an iron bridge near Muradpur gave way, causing a stampede, confirmed SI Nur-e-Alam Ashik, in-charge of the Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) Police Outpost.
The deceased were Ayub Ali from Patiya Upazila and Saiful Islam from the Kala Mia Bazar area.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Quoting witnesses, police said that while taking part in the procession, Ayub collapsed from heat exhaustion in the dense crowd and died in a stampede, while Saiful and several others were severely injured after the bridge collapsed.
Doctors at CMCH declared both Ayub and Saiful dead upon arrival.
Nine people injured in the incident are receiving treatment at CMCH.
Hundreds of thousands of devotees had gathered for the city's largest Eid-e-Miladunnabi procession.
The 54th edition of the Julus, organised by Anjuman-e-Rahmania Ahmadia Sunnia Trust, began at Alamgir Khanqah in Sholoshahar at around 10:15am, paraded through Muradpur, 2 No Gate and GEC intersection, and concluded at Jameya Ahmadia Sunnia Aliya ground.
Police and intelligence personnel were deployed to manage the crowd. Organisers enforced rules prohibiting drum sets, female participation and food throwing.
Despite the tragic incident, processions continued, filling the city's streets with devotees.
