33 workers of Nilphamari wig factory hospitalised

Thirty-three female workers of a wig factory in Nilphamari were hospitalised this morning after they fell ill while on duty.

The incident happened at Gold Timing Manufacture (BD) Ltd at Tupir Mor area in Nilphamari municipality, reports our local correspondent.

The workers were admitted to Nilphamari's 250-bed Adhunik Sadar Hospital after they fell ill.

Gold Timing Manufacture (BD) Ltd is a sister concern of Chinese-owned Evergreen (BD) Ltd, a wig factory at Uttara EPZ in the district.

A worker, Ayesha Siddiqa (20) fell ill and became unconscious at around 9:00am. Later, dozens of other workers also fell ill and lost consciousness, the workers told this correspondent.

"I felt a bad headache, pain in my body, suffocation and nausea and became unconscious," Ayesha, who was being treated at the hospital, said.

Some of the workers complained that they became sick due to bad odour from some kind of chemical.

None of the officials of Gold Timing Manufacture (BD) Ltd were available for comments when this correspondent went to the factory at 3:15pm.

It is likely that the victims are suffering from mass psychosis, said Civil Surgeon of Nilphamari, Ranjit Kumar Barman.

"A total of 33 female patients have been admitted to the hospital so far -- complaining of headache, nausea and respiratory problems," said Afroza Khatun, attending senior staff nurse at the hospital.

"The patients' condition is improving after they were given treatment with intravenous saline, sedatives, etc.," said Dr Abdur Rahim, emergency medical officer.