5-member probe committee formed over Mymensingh Medical College fire

Authorities have formed a five-member investigation committee to look into the fire at the lift of the new building of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. The committee has been asked to submit its report within the next three working days.

The hospital authorities formed the committee on Tuesday morning, September 15.

The committee is headed by Professor Golam Rahman of the hospital's Medicine Department.

The other members are: Dr Mainuddin Khan, Assistant Director (Administration) of the hospital; the Assistant Director of Fire Service; the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department; and the engineer of the electricity department of the Public Works Department.

It may be mentioned that a fire broke out at the under-construction lift of the new building of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital after Monday evening.

Several people were injured in a rush to descend the stairs during the incident. However, reports of six deaths, including a child, spread on social media and in the media.

Later at night, senior officials of the Mymensingh administration visited the hospital and held a closed-door meeting. After the fire, information was received about four deaths, but the administration said no evidence was found that any of them died in a stampede.

Families have confirmed that two of them died naturally. The cause of death of the other two has not yet been confirmed, said Mymensingh Divisional Commissioner SM Humayun Kabir.