The first phase of the 58th Bishwa Ijtema concluded on Sunday at Turag in Tongi with the Akheri Munajat (final supplication). The prayer, led by Maulana Zubair Ahmed, took place from 9:10 AM to 9:36 AM. However, at 9:25 AM, a drone crashed onto a tin shed near the foreign delegates’ accommodation, causing a sudden commotion among the attendees.
The loud crash of the drone sparked panic among worshippers, leading to a brief stampede. Later, from the Ijtema stage, an announcement reassured the congregation, stating that a drone had fallen but there was no reason for fear or panic.
Law enforcement officials immediately recovered the drone, but its ownership and purpose remained unknown. According to sources, several media outlets and YouTubers were using drones for live coverage of the event.
An eyewitness, Amjad Hossain, from Jugli village in Kaliganj, Gazipur, described the incident: “I saw three drones fall near me and hit a bamboo pole, creating a loud noise. People panicked and started running.”
Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Belayet Hossain, on duty at Tongi Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital, reported that many worshippers rushed to the hospital out of fear. Among the 40 people receiving treatment were Abul Kalam (55), Alamin (32), Azad (30), Obaidullah (32), Abdul Karim (28), Saiful Islam (38), Jafar Uddin (31), Joynal (24), Mokbul Hossain (64), and Sohag (60), among others.
The hospital’s emergency department in-charge, Mostafizur Rahman, stated: “Over a hundred worshippers arrived at the hospital with injuries. They were treated after falling during the panic caused by the drone incident.”
Tongi East Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Faridul Islam confirmed the incident, saying: “Preliminary findings suggest that the drone crashed due to a depleted battery. The resulting noise triggered panic. We are investigating the matter.”
Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Deputy Commissioner (South Division) N.M. Nasiruddin added: “A drone crashed on Kamarpara Road after its battery ran out. Seeing this, many villagers panicked and started running, leading to injuries.”
The second phase of Bishwa Ijtema is scheduled to take place from February 3 to 5, where worshippers from 22 districts and the remaining parts of Dhaka will participate. Additionally, from February 14 to 16, followers of India’s Maulana Saad will organize their separate Ijtema, concluding with the Akheri Munajat on February 16.
The Bishwa Ijtema was first held in Bangladesh in 1946 at Kakrail Mosque. Due to increasing attendance, it was later moved to Haji Camp in Chattogram and Siddhirganj in Narayanganj before permanently shifting to Turag in Tongi in 1967. Each year, on the final day of Ijtema, thousands of additional worshippers gather at Turag for the Akheri Munajat, with many arriving the night before to secure a place near the grounds.
