Scores of female workers at Cumilla EPZ fall unconscious

At least 80 female workers at Cumilla Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) lost consciousness when an earthquake struck on Friday morning.

Five others were injured while rushing out of factory buildings, and nearly 50 workers received treatment at the BEPZA hospital inside the EPZ, while another 30 were treated at Cumilla Medical College Hospital.

Inspector Md Saiful Islam, in-charge of the EPZ police outpost, said workers from two companies became unconscious as they tried to flee. No one was critically injured, and all returned home after receiving first aid.

Cumilla Medical College Hospital emergency physician Tanvir Ahmed said at least 30 injured workers were treated there.

Witnesses said tremors were felt across Cumilla at around 10:38am, prompting hundreds of workers to rush out. Many fainted from fear and collapsed on the factory floor before being rescued and taken to hospitals.

Meanwhile, locals reported that a five-storey building in Daudkandi upazila tilted during the quake, while another structure developed visible cracks.