More than 100 garment workers in a Gazipur factory fell ill after drinking water supplied at the workplace

More than 100 workers at a garment factory in Kaliakair, Gazipur, were taken ill on Thursday after reportedly drinking water supplied at the workplace, leading to hospitalisation and an official investigation.

The incident took place in the morning at Dressman Limited, located in the Chandra area.

Workers and factory authorities said employees began suffering from vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, weakness and breathing problems shortly after consuming the water.

As the number of affected workers increased, concern spread throughout the factory. The sick workers were rushed to Kaliakair Upazila Health Complex and several nearby private hospitals and clinics for treatment.

Some workers alleged that the water had a foul odour and said they felt sick soon after drinking it. Several employees claimed that more than 200 workers experienced dizziness, with some collapsing inside the factory.

Atiqul Islam, Assistant General Manager (Administration) of Dressman Limited, said the factory immediately arranged medical care for the affected workers. He speculated that some employees may have consumed water from a tube well contaminated by floodwater, adding that no faults had been found in the factory’s own water supply system.

Kaliakair Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Sadia Tasnim Munmun said the health complex had been receiving a steady influx of patients since mid-morning and was facing difficulties in accommodating them all.

Police said they had launched an investigation into the incident.