More than 100 workers at Dressman Limited, a garment factory in Kaliakoir of Gazipur fell ill after drinking water supplied at the factory on Thursday morning.
The incident occurred around 10:00 am at the factory located in Chandra area of Kaliakoir upazila. The affected workers were admitted to Kaliakoir Upazila Health Complex as well as several nearby hospitals and clinics for treatment.
According to factory workers, they consumed water provided by the factory. Shortly afterward, several workers began experiencing symptoms including vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, weakness, and breathing difficulties. The number of affected workers gradually increased, causing panic among employees.
Atiqul Islam, Assistant General Manager (Administration) of Dressman Limited, said that medical treatment had been arranged for the affected workers. He suggested that recent flooding and waterlogging in surrounding areas following continuous rainfall earlier may have contaminated tube-well water that some workers consumed. However, he maintained that there was no problem with the factory's drinking water system. According to the factory's records, between 40 and 50 workers fell ill.
Kaliakoir Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahidul Islam said that police had been dispatched to the factory after receiving reports that several workers became ill after drinking water. He added that treatment was being provided to the affected workers and that doctors had informed authorities that none of the patients were currently in critical condition.
The exact cause of the incident is yet to be confirmed.