The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has announced that the ward at Ad-Din Hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, where six children recently died while under treatment, will be sealed. The decision was confirmed by Additional Director General Professor Dr. Zahid Raihan during an emergency press conference held in front of the hospital on Wednesday. He stated that the post-operative ward would be closed to ensure a proper investigation and to prevent any further unwanted incidents.

A high-level three-member investigation committee, led by the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Health’s Hospital Wing, has already been formed to examine the incident. The committee has been instructed by DGHS Director General Professor Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas to submit its report within 72 hours. The investigation will assess possible lapses in the treatment environment and identify the root cause of the problem.

Officials at the press conference added that if negligence is proven, strict legal action will be taken against those responsible.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced a four to six-tier security plan across the capital for Eid-ul-Azha, with special focus on the National Eidgah. Around 1,500 officers will be deployed around nearly one thousand Eid congregations, while about 15,000 police personnel will be on duty citywide on Eid day. DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said the plan was designed considering the large gatherings and temporary emptiness in parts of the city as many residents leave for holidays.

The National Eidgah and other key prayer venues, including Baitul Mukarram, will host high-profile attendees such as the President, Prime Minister, and foreign diplomats. The Eidgah will have five entry gates and be fully covered by CCTV and drone surveillance. Security measures include archways, metal detectors, watchtowers, barricades, and patrols. Specialized units like SWAT, bomb disposal, and counterterrorism teams will remain on standby, while separate arrangements have been made for female worshippers.

Traffic restrictions will apply from 6 a.m. until prayers conclude, and worshippers are urged to avoid carrying bags or sharp objects. Additional security has been arranged for homes, banks, malls, and ATMs during the holiday period, with cyber units monitoring social media for misinformation.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that no infrastructure will be constructed by destroying agricultural land. He emphasized that protecting farmland will remain a top priority even during the implementation of development projects. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday while visiting the proposed site for a university at Bhatar Mari Farm in Amtali Railghunti area of Jamalpur Union under Thakurgaon Sadar upazila.

He noted that agricultural land in the country is decreasing day by day, which is a matter of concern for the future. Development initiatives will be undertaken carefully to minimize harm to agriculture. Plans will be made to balance development and agriculture, ensuring that education and health sector projects are implemented without damaging farmland.

During the visit, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also inspected potential sites for establishing a medical college and hospital in Srikrishnapur, Jagannathpur, Gareya Sugarcane Farm, and Salandar areas of the same upazila. Local officials, political leaders, and journalists were present during the inspection.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has formed a three-member high-level investigation committee following the sudden deaths of six children who were under treatment at Ad-Din Hospital in Moghbazar, Dhaka. The committee is headed by the Joint Secretary of the ministry’s Hospital Wing and has been instructed to submit its report within 72 hours. The announcement was made by Professor Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, during an emergency press briefing held at the hospital premises on Wednesday afternoon.

Dr. Biswas described the incident as deeply tragic and sensitive, emphasizing the need for a fair and impartial investigation. The committee will examine whether there was any negligence or misconduct in the treatment process and identify any other underlying issues. He further stated that if the investigation finds evidence of negligence by hospital officials or doctors, strict legal and administrative action will be taken against those responsible.

Additional Director General Professor Dr. Zahid Raihan of the Directorate General of Health Services was also present at the briefing.

Road Transport, Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam has described this year’s Eid travel as satisfactory, despite the movement of around 15 million passengers and 8 million sacrificial animals across Bangladesh. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Mohakhali Bus Terminal in Dhaka on Wednesday, he said passengers were reaching their destinations at fixed fares and in an orderly manner, and that the government had ensured a smooth travel experience amid multiple challenges.

The minister said the government was continuously monitoring the situation through the BRTA’s central monitoring cell. He acknowledged some congestion near Chandra before the Jamuna Bridge, caused by seven lanes merging into two, but termed it normal. He added that strict monitoring was in place to prevent overcharging, with fines imposed when violations were found. Special coaches for women were added to three intercity train routes, and 51 additional coaches were introduced for Eid travel.

Regarding reports of a cattle market under the Uttara Diabari metro station, the minister clarified that no such decision had been made and said the city corporation would need to address the issue.

Indian cattle are reportedly entering Bangladesh through the Maheshpur border in Jhenaidah after sunset. The animals are brought from India’s Nadia and South 24 Parganas districts and enter Bangladesh through points near Lorai Ghat and Harighata. They are later sold in livestock markets across the country, including in Cumilla and Chuadanga. Allegations suggest that some members of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) are involved in facilitating the crossings.

Investigations indicate that an illegal trade worth millions of taka has developed around eight border points used for smuggling. Local sources claim that cattle, drugs, and other contraband are moved through these routes under a system of monthly payments. Past incidents of violence have also been linked to these smuggling operations.

Lieutenant Colonel Rafiqul Alam, commander of the 58th Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) battalion in Maheshpur, said the force remains on high alert to prevent smuggling, counterfeit currency trafficking, and illegal crossings. He added that patrols and intelligence surveillance have been intensified and that awareness programs are being conducted among border residents.

The Department of Environment (DoE) in Chattogram stopped illegal hill cutting in the Chandranagar Green Valley-2 residential area under Bayezid Bostami Police Station during the Eid holidays. An enforcement team from the DoE’s Chattogram Metropolitan Office conducted an operation on Wednesday morning, immediately halting the activity and issuing a hearing notice to landowner Babul Banik, who was allegedly involved in the incident.

According to DoE sources, the group had been using the holiday period to cut hills in the area. Local residents informed the enforcement team that the base of the hill had already been removed, posing environmental risks. Upon verification, the team confirmed the illegal activity and imposed an immediate ban on further cutting.

Assistant Director Muktadir Hasan of the DoE stated that the group had completed preparations for hill cutting, including hiring workers and bringing equipment. He added that two previous cases had already been filed in court against 35 individuals for similar offenses in the same hill area, with one charge sheet submitted and another under process.

Three bodies, including a father and son, were recovered after a boat capsized in the Meghna River in Hizla upazila of Barishal. The Meghna River tragedy occurred on Monday afternoon near the Hizla ferry ghat when an engine-run boat sank, leaving three people missing. On Tuesday morning, the body of Harun Biswas was found in the Old Hizla area. Later, around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, naval police recovered two more bodies from the Bhasonchar area of Mehendiganj upazila.

According to Hizla naval police, local fishermen and police had been conducting search operations since the incident. Fishermen spotted two floating bodies in Bhasonchar and informed the police, who then recovered them. The deceased were identified by relatives as Nur Islam Jomaddar and his son Ibrahim Jomaddar. The bodies were handed over to their family members, police confirmed.

The recovery operation concluded with all three missing persons found, bringing closure to the families affected by the accident.

Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul stated that immediate action will be taken against hospital staff who mistreat patients and that doctors’ safety is being ensured. He announced that law enforcement personnel will soon be deployed in all hospitals across the country. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday morning during a visit to the Pakundia Upazila Health Complex in Kishoreganj, where he inspected various hospital sections and interacted with patients and staff.

During the visit, the minister reviewed the emergency department, male and female wards, and the hospital kitchen. He inquired about the quality of services and food provided to patients. Bakul said he was working under the Prime Minister’s directive to observe real conditions at the grassroots level and to improve discipline and service quality in hospitals.

He also mentioned that the government is actively working to prevent measles outbreaks through vaccination campaigns, ensuring that all children, including those previously unvaccinated, are brought under immunization coverage.

Residents of Sherpur’s Sreebardi and Jhenaigati upazilas have been facing severe hardship after more than 36 hours without electricity. The outage began on Monday night during a storm and rain, and the Palli Bidyut Samiti has not yet restored power. Locals reported that electricity is available for only short periods, with frequent interruptions lasting up to two hours.

Rickshaw and van drivers said the outage has severely affected their income during the busy pre-Eid period, leaving them unable to meet household expenses. Shopkeepers and small business owners reported losses as they cannot operate electrical equipment, and perishable goods are spoiling due to lack of refrigeration. Production in small industries and rice mills has also been disrupted.

According to Sreebardi Palli Bidyut zonal office engineer Surya Narayan Bhowmik, fallen tree branches caused line faults in several areas, and a power transformer in Jhenaigati was damaged. Repair work is ongoing, and power restoration may occur by evening.

United Medical College Hospital in Satarkul, Madani Avenue, has introduced specialized treatment services for children affected by measles as part of efforts to address the ongoing outbreak across Bangladesh. The hospital has reorganized its operations to include a dedicated isolation unit, emergency triage system, separate NICU and PICU zones, and comprehensive infection control measures. International-standard safety protocols, including PPE use and regular disinfection, are being maintained to protect all patients.

To make treatment more accessible for children arriving from remote areas, the hospital is offering cabin facilities at ward costs and discounts on emergency services, ventilation support, and treatment expenses. Critically ill patients are receiving one-to-one nursing support and continuous monitoring. So far, 16 measles patients have been treated under this special program, with 14 discharged after recovery.

Dr. Azharul Islam Khan, Director of Medical Services at United Healthcare, emphasized the need for coordinated public-private initiatives to combat the measles situation effectively. He highlighted infection control, affordable care, and collective awareness as key to ensuring every child’s right to timely treatment.

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.

At least four people were killed and 10 to 12 others injured when an Islami Paribahan bus lost control and crashed into an Akash Paribahan bus in Dhaka’s Nadda area near Notun Bazar on Wednesday morning. The victims were identified as Laizu Begum, her husband Kabir Jamaddar, Khushi Begum, and Md. Robiul. Three of them were from Mongla in Bagerhat, and one from Mirzaganj in Patuakhali. The accident occurred around 6 a.m., causing severe traffic congestion and suffering for Eid travelers.

Police said the Islami Paribahan bus was speeding from Patuakhali toward Dhaka when the driver lost control, mounted the road divider, and hit the oncoming Akash Paribahan bus heading from Uttara to Gulistan. The Akash Paribahan bus sustained heavy damage, and most casualties occurred there. One passenger died on the spot, while others succumbed to injuries at Kurmitola Hospital.

According to police, the Islami Paribahan driver and helper fled after the crash. Injured passengers were taken to Kurmitola and Dhaka Medical College hospitals, with several reported in critical condition. Traffic resumed after police removed the damaged buses.

Six newborn babies died following a gas leak in the neonatal ward of Ad-Din Medical College Hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area on Wednesday morning. The incident was confirmed by Sheikh Zahidul Islam, Deputy Police Commissioner of DMP’s Ramna Division. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as investigations continue into the cause of the leak.

Initial reports indicate that a malfunction in the hospital’s air conditioning system caused the gas leak. The affected ward housed 11 mothers and six newborns aged between one and two days. According to Professor Dr. Nahida Yasmin, Director of Hospitals and Nursing at Ad-Din Hospital, the ward is air-conditioned, and patients or relatives sometimes request to turn off the AC due to excessive cold.

Dr. Yasmin added that two infants first showed signs of illness around 3 a.m. and were taken to the neonatal ICU, where they initially appeared stable. However, by dawn, all six newborns deteriorated rapidly and were transferred again to the ICU, where two were declared dead on arrival and four others later died despite ventilator support.

Continuous heavy rainfall over the past three days has severely disrupted daily life across Bangladesh, including the capital Dhaka. The unseasonal downpour ahead of Eid-ul-Azha has caused widespread waterlogging in low-lying areas, halting normal activities and creating severe difficulties for people traveling home for the holidays and for livestock markets preparing for the festival.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, rainfall in Dhaka reached 57 millimeters on Monday evening, 68 millimeters on Tuesday, and 42 millimeters in the 24 hours ending Wednesday morning. The department forecast that rain and thunderstorms will continue in many regions, including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. A low-pressure area may also form over the east-central Bay of Bengal within the next five days.

Meteorologist Tariful Newaz Kabir stated that light to moderate rain is expected to persist in Dhaka for the next three days, including on Eid morning, with moderate to heavy rainfall continuing in several divisions.