DHAKA: Another two women who suffered burn injuries while warming themselves from cold in fire-lit died at the Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH) on Thursday (January 18).

The deceased were identified as Nuriza Begum, wife of Enamul Haque of Monidakua village in Kurigram, and Arzina Begum, wife of Golam Mostafa of Debiganj upazila in Panchagarh.

Nuriza Begum succumbed to burn injuries at the hospital at about 3:30 am, while Arzina Begum died at about 9:30 am.

With the two fresh deaths, at least 15 women died at the burn unit of the RMCH in the last 13 days. The women suffered the burn injuries from fire-lit when severe cold swept across the region as well as the country.

The 13 other deceased women are- Shammi Akhter, 27, of Lalmonirhat sadar upazila, Fatema Bagum, 32, and Alo Begum, 22, of the same upazila, and Shukmoni, 70, of Razpur village in the district, Golapi Begum, 30, of Kaunia upazila in Rangpur, Afroza Khatun, 40, of Nazibhat area in Rangpur, Jameron Beowa, 80, of Taraganj upazila in Rangpur, Hashu Begum, 65, of Peerganj upazila in Rangpur, Ruma Khatun, 65, of Jummapara area in Rangpur, and Moni Begum, 25, of Mahiganj area in Rangpur, Rehena Begum, 25, and Marufa Khatun, 30, of  Nilphamari, and Akhi Akhter, 45, of Thakurgaon.   

Assistant director of RMCH’s burn unit Nure Alam confirmed the matter to the Banglanews. He said that at least 55 people were admitted to the RMCH who received burn injuries while keeping themselves warm from the severe cold with fire in the last couple of days.

The women faced the tragic fire incidents after they created fire-lit by setting fire to twigs, straws or garbage to save themselves and their children from cold.

BDST: 1650 HRS, JAN 18, 2018
EHJ