All officers and staff of IFIC Bank’s Kuliarchar branch in Kishoreganj fell ill at their workplace on Sunday, with employees later taken to the hospital by police and local residents after every single one of them had vomited.
Police suspect that a criminal gang may have drugged the employees to render them unconscious in an attempt to rob the bank. There are concerns that money may have been stolen.
The IFIC Bank branch is located on the second floor of Habib Complex on the Kuliarchar Thana Road. The branch has been operating there for three years, with six employees. Around 1pm on Sunday, several customers arrived and found one person lying unconscious near the main entrance.
Inside, others were also found having collapsed, all vomiting. Hearing their cries of suffering, people nearby rushed in and informed the police.
Upon arrival, police found the glass panel in front of the cash counter broken.
Among the six affected, two were taken to the Upazila Health Complex, while the others were to Jahurul Islam Medical College Hospital. After initial treatment, the former two were also transferred to Zahurul Islam Medical College Hospital.
Health and Family Planning Officer of Kuliarchar Upazila Health Complex Dr Adnan Akhtar said the manager was brought in first, unconscious. Both vomited after being admitted. He suspects they may have been drugged with a sedative.
Acting officer-in-charge (OC) of Kuliarchar Police Station Md Helal Uddin, who arrived at the scene after receiving the news, said that an investigation is underway to determine the identity of the perpetrators.