GAZIPUR: At least five devotees have died at Bishwa Ijtema ground on the bank of river Turag in Tongi of Gazipur district in past three days.

On Saturday (January 9), one Alauddin (70) from Sylhet suddenly fall ill in the congregation ground and died on the spot.

Earlier around 1:00am, one Abul Kalam Azad of Sundarpur village of Noakhali district died of heart. After complaining of chest pains, he was rushed to Tongi government hospital where on-duty doctor declared him dead around 1:00am.

Two other devotees died of heart attack earlier on Thursday night (January 7) and one killed in road accident whiling coming to join ijtema.

However, the first phase of the second largest congregation of Muslims after the hajj began after fazr prayer on Friday (January 8).

BDST: 1257/1558 HRS, JAN 09, 2016
RS/RR/SMS