Mymensingh hospital fire leaves 4 dead, probe committee formed
Collected Photo
Four bodies were discovered following a fire at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH). The accident occurred in the elevator of the new building at 5:45 pm on Monday, and fire service arrived within about 10 minutes.
Before authorities brought the situation under control, reports spread that at least six people died due to a stampede, stroke, and various other reasons, although the hospital administration immediately denied the claims.
However, officials found four bodies on Tuesday, all of whom were present at MMCH during the incident. Some individuals even alleged that administrative pressure existed to conceal the true cause of death.
Although hospital management did not admit to deaths linked to the fire, the hospital authorities formed an investigation committee to verify the information.
The individuals who died include Shahjahan Monir, 45, Romjan Ali, 40, Kulsuma, 40, and Hajera Begum, 50.
Monir’s wife Harisa Khatun said upon hearing news of the fire, she was coming down the stairs with Monir when she fell due to people pushing and lost consciousness. After she was well and inquiring about her husband, she learned that staff had transferred him to the ICU, where she eventually found him dead. Monir was initially admitted to the hospital for hip bone decay issues.
Romjan’s wife Khadija added that Romjan died under the intense physical pressure from both directions on the stairs. He was initially admitted to the hospital with chest pain. Meanwhile,
Kulsuma’s daughter Meem noted that her brother Shadhin was admitted with jaundice, and both she and her mother were staying beside him. During the fire, as they came down the stairs from the sixth floor, they fell on the fourth-floor staircase due to people pushing.
Later, after taking her mother to the emergency department, medical staff administered oxygen to her mother, but she died right there before the family returned home.
Hajera’s daughter-in-law Afroza Akhtar said she had brought her to MMCH. Upon hearing news of the fire, they rushed downward, causing the housewife to fall on the stairs and sustain injuries to her hands and legs, while Hajera suffered a fatal stroke.
Hospital staff released the body with a gate pass that listed 6:30 pm as the discharge time. Because of the long journey home, the family could not hold the funeral prayer at night and instead conducted the burial in the morning.
However, his son Mazharul Islam said his mother died of a stroke at the hospital and his wife Afroza sustained hand and leg injuries due to the stampede while rushing down.
Fearing administrative harassment, several neighbors, speaking on condition of anonymity, added that Hajera died right at the hospital and the family returned home at night after her discharge, which is why they conducted the funeral prayer in the morning.
They noted that Purbadhala Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shafiqul Islam visited the deceased’s home before the funeral, though when questioned, the UNO claimed he had only heard news of the death.
Addressing the deaths, Hospital Deputy Director Jakiul Islam said someone could die from injuries or illness under heavy crowd pressure. However, officials found no burn marks or evidence of being trampled to death on the bodies listed in the emergency department’s deceased records, and the investigation committee is actively investigating the matter.
Several people present during the fire alleged that the hospital’s elevators were frequently out of order and that despite several staircases in the new building, staff kept only the main staircase open.
Meanwhile, Rokonuzzaman Rokon of the Mymensingh City Corporation added that allegations of negligence by the Public Works Department have surfaced, and authorities will investigate whether anyone’s negligence caused the incident.
Hospital Deputy Director Jakiur Rahman noted that the committee must submit its report within three working days. Golam Rahman, head of the Department of Medicine, serves as the committee’s convener.
The other members include Public Works Department Executive Engineer Arnab Biswas, Sub-Divisional Engineer Majedur Rahman, Fire Service Assistant Director Purna Chandra Mutsuddi, and Hospital Assistant Director (Administration) Main Uddin Khan.
