Women crushed in false alarm

2004-05-03 10:31

Dhaka, Bangladesh - At least six women were crushed to death and dozens injured on Monday when a false fire alarm caused about 4 000 people to rush for the exits of a garment factory where they worked, officials said.

An electric transformer exploded outside the six-storey building in northern Dhaka, spreading panic among workers, most of them young women, according to a policeman.

Thinking their building was on fire, the workers jammed the stairways in their rush to escape, he said.

"Some people raised a fire alarm and we all headed for the stairs," said Moshammat Nahar, an injured worker. "We all thought the fire was in our building."

Five women were already dead when they were brought to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, according to a doctor.The sixth repotedly died at a nearby clinic.

About 35 other injured workers were admitted to the hospital, he said.

- AP