Elderly dies while standing in queue for VGF rice

An elderly man died of apparent heart failure while standing in a queue for over an hour to collect rice under the government's vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programme in Hatahazari of Chittagong yesterday. 

Ekram Ullah, sub-inspector of Hathazari Police Station, told The Daily Star quoting eyewitnesses that Hadi Fakir Bari resident Gias, aged 55, joined the line for VGF rice around 9:00am.

There was no disorderly situation during the rice distribution. But after over an hour, he suddenly collapsed and locals rushed him to upazila health complex where doctors declared him dead, the SI said, adding that the doctors at the hospital said Gias died of natural causes. 

Mohi Uddin, elder brother of Gias, said his brother had various health conditions including heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. “After we found out and reached the local health complex, doctors there told us that his death was natural and caused by heart failure.”