Published : 15 Sep 2026, 06:19 PM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:50 AM
A fire at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital has prompted conflicting reports over deaths after patients and their relatives rushed down the stairs in panic, with two families claiming their family members died after falling during the scramble.
The hospital authorities and administration initially rejected reports of six deaths, while police later reported two fatalities. A five-member committee has now been formed to investigate the incident.
The fire broke out at about 5:45pm on Monday in a lift control room on the seventh floor of the hospital's new building. Smoke quickly spread through the building, alarming patients, relatives, doctors and staff.
As people began rushing downstairs, a stampede developed on the stairs. Several people were injured, while relatives of two patients said their family members died after falling.
The two were identified as Kulsum Akter, 35, and Shahajahan Monir, 45.
Kulsum had been receiving treatment for jaundice at the hospital's paediatric ward for 12 days with her 12-year-old son. Her sister-in-law Nazma Akter said Kulsum fell while trying to leave the building with her children and later died despite being administered oxygen.
Shahajahan had been undergoing treatment for tuberculosis for 10 to 12 days. His son Palash Molla said his father, mother and aunt fell while coming down the stairs after being pushed from behind. His mother and aunt were injured and remain under treatment.
Mymensingh Divisional Commissioner SM Humayun Kabir said the authorities had found no evidence that anyone had died in a stampede.
He said one person listed as dead was alive and receiving treatment, while two others had died of natural causes according to their families. The causes of death of two others remained unclear.
However, a police message later said there were reports of two deaths, adding to the confusion.
Hospital authorities formed the five-member probe committee on Tuesday morning and asked it to submit its report within three working days.
Medicine Department Head Prof Golam Rahman Bhuiyan is heading the committee, which also includes two Public Works Department representatives and a Fire Service representative.
The committee will examine whether there was negligence in the lift fire and whether any other lapses occurred.
Mymensingh Fire Service Assistant Director Purna Chandra Mutsuddi said the fire originated from an electrical short circuit in the lift control room. Ten units brought it under control after about 30 minutes.
Questions have also been raised over hospital safety after one of the building's two stairways was reportedly closed. The divisional commissioner said the matter would be investigated.
