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Bangladesh stampede kills 17 at free clothing drive | |
(34 minutes later) | |
At least 17 people have been killed in a stampede during a clothes giveaway in Mymensingh city in northern Bangladesh, police said. | |
Hundreds of people rushed through a small gate into a factory compound before dawn to get the free garments causing a crush. | Hundreds of people rushed through a small gate into a factory compound before dawn to get the free garments causing a crush. |
Police have detained seven people, including the owner of the factory. | |
During the month of Ramadan wealthy Bangladeshis often donate clothing to the poor. | |
Police told AFP news agency that 1,500 people had gathered outside the chewing tobacco factory at about 04:45 local time (22:45 GMT Thursday) after the owners announced they would distribute free clothing, | |
The stampede erupted when people tried to force their way in. | |
"We have so far recovered 17 bodies. Most of the dead are poor and emaciated women," Mymensingh police chief Moinul Haque told AFP. | |
Police said they expected the death toll to rise. |