Bangladesh: Stampede in Chattagram district kills nine May 14

Event

At least nine people were killed on Monday, May 14, amid a stampede that took place during a food distribution in Chattagram district - located 250 km (155 mi) southeast of Dhaka. Dozens of others - mostly women and children - were injured in the incident. 

Context

During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in this part of Bangladesh, poor people usually gather outside a donor's house to receive traditional food for iftar, the evening meal when Muslims break their fast. 

Advice

Individuals in Bangladesh are advised not to eat, drink, or smoke in public by day during Ramadan. As a precaution, avoid all demonstrations and public gatherings due to the risk of violence. On an unrelated note, due to the high risk of terrorism in Bangladesh, it is advised to exercise vigilance when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.) and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. .