Ad-Din Medical College Hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area has described the deaths of six newborns as accidental. The hospital authorities made the statement at a press conference on Wednesday, confirming that the incident occurred in a ward where 11 mothers and six newborns, aged one to two days, were staying. Police confirmed the deaths, which occurred after the infants’ conditions deteriorated in the early hours of the morning.

Parents of the deceased infants alleged that a gas leak in the neonatal ward caused the tragedy. Preliminary findings indicated a malfunction in the air conditioning system that led to a gas leak, after which the babies’ health worsened. Hospital Director Professor Dr. Nahida Yasmin explained that the ward was air-conditioned and sometimes patients or relatives requested to turn off the AC due to cold. She detailed that two babies first fell ill around 3 a.m. and were taken to the neonatal ICU but later returned to the ward. By dawn, all six infants were in critical condition and eventually died despite intensive care efforts.

A three-member investigation committee has been formed to look into the incident.