8 dead in charity stampedes
21/10/2006 08:39  - (SA)  

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Dhaka - At least seven women and a child were killed in two separate stampedes in Bangladesh on Saturday, when thousands of destitute people scrambled for charity clothing distributed ahead of a Muslim festival.

Another 16 other people were injured in the stampedes, which occurred four days before Muslims celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramadan, reported the United News of Bangladesh and ATN Bangla television station.

Affluent Muslims distribute free clothing or food to the poor to mark the festival. The practice attracts thousands of destitute, who vie to grab the gifts, sometimes triggering stampedes.

Four women and a child were killed in a stampede in Mymensingh district, 112km north of Dhaka.

About 2 000 people, many with children, had gathered in a narrow lane to receive cloth distributed by the owner of a textile mill, reported ATN Bangla. About 12 people were injured.

Three other women died and four were injured in a stampede in Patuakhali district, 152km south of Dhaka, reported the United News of Bangladesh news agency.

The stampede occurred when more than 1 000 people gathered outside a home where free cloth was being distributed.

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