MMCH fire: MP confirms two deaths amid conflicting claims

Conflicting accounts have emerged over deaths following a fire at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), with an MP and hospital management officials giving different accounts of the incident.

Mymensingh-4 MP and hospital management committee vice-chairman Abu Wahab Akand Wahid said on Wednesday (September 16) that two people died from panic triggered by the fire, while two others died of natural causes.

Additionally, he denied reports of six deaths and said no one died from burns or trampling.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the hospital, the MP also said Jahanara Begum, listed in some reports among the deceased, was alive and receiving treatment at the hospital.

However, relatives of patients who died claimed that four people were killed amid panic and a rush to escape after the fire broke out.

They identified the deceased as Shahjahan Monir, 45, of Fulbaria; Ramzan Ali, 38; Kulsuma Akter, 35, of Tarakanda; and Hazera Begum, 50, of Purbadhala in Netrakona.

The relatives alleged that the hospital lacked adequate arrangements to quickly evacuate patients and their attendants to safety, worsening the situation.

Hospital management committee chairman and State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M Iqbal Hossain said an investigation committee had been formed to determine how the deaths occurred.

The actual number and causes of death will be established after the committee submits its report, he said.

The fire broke out at around 5:45pm Monday in Lift No. 11 of the hospital’s new building. Fire Service personnel brought it under control before it could spread, but panic triggered a rush among patients and their relatives.

The conflicting reports over the deaths have prompted calls for the investigation findings to establish what happened.