Three worshippers have died during the first phase of the Bishwa Ijtema in Tongi, on Friday.
The deceased have been identified as Amirul Islam, 40, Abdul Kuddus Gazi, 60, and Sabed Ali, 70.
Abdul Kuddus Gazi passed away at the Ijtema grounds, while the other two died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Beyond the reported deaths, 38 worshippers have received medical treatment at Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital due to respiratory issues and other ailments.
Among them, one is a foreigner, and five are police officers.
The congregation, led by the Maulana Zubair group, officially began with thousands of worshippers gathering from across the country.
Worshippers are staying in 68 designated sections of the Ijtema grounds, with an estimated 500,000 people in attendance, including locals from surrounding areas.
According to the Detective Branch of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), worshippers from 46 countries have joined this year’s first phase of the Ijtema.
Among them, 760 speak Urdu, 89 speak Arabic, and 305 speak English.
Additionally, 426 foreign guests who were already in Bangladesh have joined, bringing the total number of international attendees to 1,580.
They are staying in four designated foreign tents.
Meanwhile, 85 foreign followers of Maulana Saad, along with approximately 220-250 others, participated in the Jummah prayers.
Security measures at the Ijtema grounds have been strengthened, with police and RAB setting up control rooms and watchtowers for surveillance.
CCTV cameras are monitoring the area, and plainclothes law enforcement officers have been deployed across different sections.
Additionally, around 10,000 volunteers are assisting under the management of the Ijtema organizing committee.