At least 50 garment workers fell ill simultaneously while working at a ready-made garment factory in Gazipur on Monday, 11 May 2026. The incident occurred at the Bangladesh Pan-Asia Clothing Limited factory, situated in the Bhogra Bypass area of Gazipur Metropolitan. The mass illness prompted immediate emergency medical intervention and the suspension of production activities.
Incident Overview and Medical Response
According to reports from the Industrial Police, the incident began shortly after workers commenced their morning shift. At approximately 11:30 am, several employees began exhibiting symptoms of physical distress, which rapidly spread throughout the production floor. The factory management intervened promptly, arranging transportation for the affected personnel to local medical facilities.
The workers were admitted to the Tayerunnessa Memorial Medical College Hospital and the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital. Medical professionals observed that the patients presented with a specific set of symptoms, primarily involving dizziness, nausea, and general physical weakness.
Clinical Diagnosis
Dr Md. Aminul Islam, the Director of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital, stated that the workers were provided with immediate treatment upon arrival. He identified the condition as “Mass Psychogenic Illness” (MPI). This phenomenon, often referred to in clinical settings as mass hysteria or a conversion disorder, involves the rapid spread of similar physical symptoms among a group of people, typically triggered by environmental stress or the sight of a peer falling ill.
The following table provides a summary of the incident details:
Official Statements and Current Status
Amzad Hossain, the Superintendent of the Gazipur Industrial Police, visited the medical facilities to monitor the status of the patients. He confirmed that while the majority of the workers received primary care and were subsequently discharged to their homes, a small number remain under hospital observation. He assured the public that all affected individuals are currently out of danger and in a stable condition.
Local authorities and factory management are monitoring the situation to ensure a safe working environment before full operations resume. Medical experts noted that while MPI incidents can be alarming, they do not typically result in long-term health complications for those involved.