At least two people have died and eight others injured while collecting Zakat items in Barisal on Friday morning.
The deceased are Firoja Begum, 50, wife of Fazle Ali from Karnakathi of sadar upazila and Nupur Begum, 35, wife of Mohon Mia from Rasulpur area of the city.
Nupur's relative Bilkis Begum said 10 people were injured in a stampede when a huge crowd gathered at the office of Khan Sons Group to collect Zakat items at 9:30am.
She said the injured where taken to Barisal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital where the doctor declared Nupur and Firoza dead around 10:30am.
Confirming their deaths, Dr Habibur Rahman, medical officer of SBMCH, said five of the injured have been admitted to hospital.
Md Shahin, executive officer of Khan Sons Barisal office, expressed condolence over the deaths.
He said: “It is a regular annual programme of the company but this year the incident went out of control due to heavy rush.”
Barisal Kotwali police station Officer-in-Charge Shakhawat Hossain said: “The company didn't ask for the help of the law enforcers to maintain law and order during the distribution.”
Shoyeb Ahmeb, deputy commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police (head quarter), said: “On information, police went to the spot and sent the injured to hospital. The situation is under control.”
