10 women killed in stampede, heatstroke while collecting Iftar items in Bangladesh

At least 10 women were killed and several others injured in a stampede and heatstroke today as thousands of people had gathered to collect Iftar essentials at a village in Bangladesh's Chattogram district.

The incident took place in front of a madrassa playground at Satkania Upazila, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Elius Hossain said, media reports said.

Around 35000 people had gathered at the madrassa field to collect saris and cash being distributed by the authorities of a steel factory.

Officials said nine women died on the spot while the other died on the way to hospital.

The primary cause of the death might be heatstroke while one or two of them might have died in a stampede, officials said.

A five-member committee has been set up to probe the incident. Chattogram additional district magistrate will lead the probe committee.