Three devotees, including a woman, died while ascending the hill at Chandranath Dham in Sitakunda during the Shib Chaturdashi fair on Wednesday.
The victims have been identified as Bantu Das, 50, and Mantu Das, 43, while the identity of the woman, believed to be around 55 years old, remains unknown.
Sitakunda Police Station officer-in-charge, Mujibur Rahman, confirmed the deaths and suggested that overcrowding and the heat during the fair may have contributed to the tragic incident.
Md. Saidul Islam, the station officer at Sitakunda Fire Service, stated that the bodies were recovered promptly after the authorities were informed.
The Shib Chaturdashi Fair, which began on Tuesday, is scheduled to continue until Thursday morning. The fair attracts a significant number of pilgrims, with around 10 to 12 lakh devotees expected to visit Chandranath Dham. The crowds had been growing steadily since Tuesday evening, and by Wednesday morning, the entire area was packed with visitors.
In response to the large turnout, enhanced security measures have been implemented by the army, RAB, police, fire services, and various intelligence agencies to ensure the safety of the pilgrims and facilitate a smooth visit to the shrine.
