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17 Bangladeshi Workers Killed in Stampede
At least 20 panicked workers, mostly female, were killed and a hundred wounded Wednesday in stampede triggered by a fire in a garment factory in an eight- storied building in the city's Mirpur area, Xinhua reported.
According to police and firefighters, the fire originated from a short circuit in the factory. Hearing the sound of explosion caused by the short circuit and seeing a cloud of black smoke billowing from there, hundreds of panicked garment workers started running for safety.
They all tried to leave the factory through a narrow staircase, sparking the fatal stampede.
Some workers jumped down from the first, second and third floors to save themselves from the blaze and suffered critical injuries.
Hearing the alarm raised by the garment workers, local people, police and firefighters rushed to the scene and started rescue operation.
Three of the injured were admitted "in critical condition" to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Several dozen were admitted to different hospitals and clinics while a number of others given first aid.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association expressed deep shock at the incident.
The association will give one hundred thousands taka (about 1, 800 U.S. dollars) to family of each dead worker.
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