Two die in Barisal stampede

A stampede in Barisal City has left two women dead and five others injured, police say.

The incident took place on Friday morning at the Khan and Sons Group office which was giving away clothes meant for Zakat.

Police identified the deceased as Nupur Begum, 35, of Rasulpur locality, and Firoza Begum, 50, of Barnakanthi village under the Sadar Upazila.

Zakat is a charity made annually under Islamic law with certain kinds of commodities.

Barisal Kotwali police Sub-Inspector Golam Kibria said a huge crowd had gathered in front of the Khan and Sons office to collect Zakat clothes.

Several women entered building when the main gate was opened but security staff chased them out.

Nupur and Firoza were killed in an ensuing stampede, Kibria said.

Police could not identify the injured but said they had been sent to the Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital.

A similar stampede in Manikganj on Thursday had left two elderly women dead.