Thousands of devotees rushed to the Rajghat, which led to the stampede
Women
Dhaka: At least 10 Hindu pilgrims, including seven women, were killed and 50 others injured on Friday in a stampede when thousands converged for the annual Ashtami Snan on the banks of the Old Brahmaputra River in Narayanganj.
A women reacts after seeing the body of a relative in Narayanganj on Friday. Pic/afp
The bathing started at 5:48 am and the flow of devotees peaked within a few hours, Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jakaria said.
Although the local administration had arranged for 16 quays for the ritual bath, the devotees had raced to the Rajghat. The stampede took place between 9.15 and 10 am. “Most of the victims were aged over 50 years,” a police official said.
Narayanganj district administration has announced Taka 25,000 (Rs 19,000) for the families of each of the deceased.
A number of eyewitnesses blamed the mismanagement of the approach and departure routes to Rajghat for the deaths. Others said the lack of ambulances led to rise in the toll.
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