30 Gazipur Garment Workers Fall Ill, Factory Shut for Day

At least 30 workers suddenly fell ill at a garment factory in Gazipur on Tuesday (May 19) morning, prompting authorities to close the facility for the day.

The incident occurred at Alema Textile Mill in the Bhogra Basan Road area around 11:00 am. The affected workers were immediately rushed to local healthcare facilities, including Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital, Tairunnesa Medical College Hospital, and Bismillah Hospital.

Rafiqul Islam, an administrative official at the factory, stated that the day began normally before several workers suddenly fainted around 10:00 am.

While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, conflicting reports have emerged. Dr. Ashraful Islam, Managing Director of Bismillah Hospital, noted that many workers arrived with respiratory issues and dizziness, which they claimed started after using the factory's washrooms.

Conversely, some workers alleged that extreme physical exhaustion caused the mass illness. They claimed they had been forced to work 24-hour shifts over the past few days to meet production targets ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holidays.

Basan Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Harun Or Rashid confirmed that the situation at the factory is stable and law and order remains normal. He assured the public that the sick workers are currently out of danger and recovering in hospitals.