At least 40 people sustained injuries in a commotion at the Biswa Ijtema grounds after a drone crashed, triggering panic among thousands of devotees.
The injured were transported to Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital in Gazipur for treatment, said Faridul Islam, officer-in-charge of Tongi East Police Station.
He stated that the drone fell in the area near the Mill Gate of the Ijtema venue, causing alarm among attendees.
As fear spread, devotees scrambled towards exit points, leading to many falling and sustaining injuries.
Ijtema authorities swiftly intervened, using loudspeakers to assure attendees that there was no cause for alarm, clarifying that the fallen object was merely a drone. This announcement helped restore order.
The origins of the drone and the circumstances surrounding its fall remain unclear.
Eyewitnesses recounted the moment of chaos: “Suddenly, a strong wind blew, followed by a loud noise. The crowd behind me began pushing and running in panic. I fell to the ground, along with at least 50 others.”
Mostafizur Rahman, an emergency department officer at the hospital, confirmed that at least 40 individuals were admitted with injuries following the incident.
Authorities are yet to determine who owned the drone and what caused its unexpected descent.
