The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

At least 20 officials and employees of the AB Bank Islampur branch suddenly swooned yesterday noon and mystery shrouds the incident.

Of the victims, four had to be shifted to Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital in an unconscious state.

Mehedi Masud, a Principal Officer of the bank, said Principal Officer Sayeduzzaman first fell senseless at about 11:30am. Later, 19 other officials and employees, including himself, collapsed one after another.

Of them, bank messenger Moshiur Rahman, tea-boy Imran Hasan, security guard Amir Hossain, and officer Jahirul Islam were admitted to the hospital.

Operations in the bank were closed down soon after the incident, said one of the bank officials.

About the possible cause of the asphyxiation, a police officer of Kotwali Police Station said the bank office was fully air-conditioned, but there had been no supply of electricity since Monday night, leaving the AC inoperative.

Some noxious gas might have flowed from the air conditioners or lack of adequate oxygen could be the reason behind the officers falling unconsciousness, said a Fire Service official.