DHAKA, Bangladesh, July 10 (UPI) -- At least 23 people were killed Friday in a stampede to obtain free clothing being handed out by a factory in the northern Bangladeshi city of Mymensingh, police said.
An impoverished crowd of thousands forced their way into a small gate at the tobacco factory's entrance early Friday morning in order to retrieve the goods.
Kamrul Islam, the head officer at a nearby police station expects the death toll to rise. He mentioned that many bodies has been removed by family members.
"Most of the dead are poor and emaciated women," Mymensingh police chief Moinul Haque told reporters. Haque added that the number of injured people could easily reach 50.
According to The New York Times seven people have been arrested including the owner of the factory, Mohammad Shamim, for their "negligence" in conducting the organized event.
CNN also reported that it is common practice for the wealthy in Bangledash to perform Zakat, an act of charity, in honor of the holy month of Ramadan.
