Gas scare at Tongi garment factory; over 50 workers fall ill

Eyewitnesses and workers reported that around 3:30 PM, a gas-like substance spread on the fifth floor of the factory. Workers began experiencing dizziness, eye irritation, vomiting, and convulsions. As the situation deteriorated rapidly, the affected workers were taken to Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital.

According to hospital sources, by 4 PM, workers undergoing treatment included Moni Akter, Marufa Begum, Bithi, Shilpi, Mithu Roy, Shabnur, Jhumur, Sathija, Laili, Hena, Kalpana, Nuruzzaman, and Farzana Akter. Many others received primary treatment and were discharged.

Workers and operators Morsheda Begum and Robiul Islam stated that around 5,000 workers are employed at the facility. They mentioned that workers had been protesting for the current month’s wages over the past few days. During this time, the sudden gas leak caused panic and many workers fell ill.

Dr. Nafiya Sharmin, emergency department doctor at Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital, stated that most of the workers came to the hospital due to panic attacks. A few patients with serious conditions were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Sujon Mahmud, General Manager of Garments Export Village Limited, said that while working, workers suddenly experienced dizziness, eye irritation, and vomiting. Currently, the treatment of the affected workers is being taken seriously. However, he refused to comment on the workers’ ongoing protest.

Repeated attempts to contact Mehedi Hasan, Officer-in-Charge of Tongi East Police Station, for information about the incident were unsuccessful.