Two more victims die at hospital

Two elderly women, who suffered critical burn injuries while warming themselves by fire in Rangpur city on Saturday, succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH) yesterday.

The victims are Arefa Begum, 90, wife of late Sakir Uddin of Kotarpara area, and Monowara Begum, 85, wife of Manik Mia of Alamnagar area.

The recent casualties took the unofficial death toll to 10, including seven women and two children, who died in similar incidents since the temperature and density started to drop in different areas of Rangpur region.

Head of Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit at RMCH Dr MA Hamid Polash said the two elderly victims were admitted at the hospital with almost 80 percent burn injuries. 

Meanwhile, three more women with 45 to 50 percent burn injuries have been admitted at the hospital in the last 48 hours, taking the number of burnt patients to 33, the doctor said, adding that the hospital has a capacity of only 14 beds.

According to data provided by RMCH authority, at least 17 people, mostly women and children, who sustained burn injuries while warming themselves by fire, died at the hospital in 2017 and 2018.