Stage collapses from crowd surge at relief distribution, finance minister unhurt

A section of the main stage collapsed due to excessive crowding by leaders and activists during a relief distribution programme for flood victims in Chandanaish, Chattogram, on Friday, July 17. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury was on the stage at the time, but he and others present escaped unhurt.

The incident occurred around 11:30 am in the Dohazari area of the upazila.

According to local sources, the programme was organised by MP Jasim Uddin from the Chattogram-14 constituency to distribute relief to flood victims. Before the finance minister arrived, the stage was already overcrowded with local leaders and activists. Despite repeated announcements asking people to leave the stage, the situation remained uncontrolled.

When the finance minister stepped onto the stage, more people rushed up simultaneously. The excessive weight caused a section of the stage to collapse suddenly. While temporary panic and commotion broke out, no one fell off or was seriously injured.

Chandanaish Upazila Executive Officer Abdur Rahman said the entire stage did not collapse. The legs of some tables on the stage gave way, causing the situation. The finance minister later stood on the same stage and distributed relief to several flood victims before concluding the programme.

Chattogram South District BNP Convener Idris Mia said the incident occurred because more people got on the stage than its capacity. He said announcements had been made asking people not to crowd the stage, but they were ignored.

Although the incident caused concern in the area, locals expressed relief that no major casualties occurred.