Police have obtained CCTV footage showing the moment six IFIC Bank employees simultaneously fell ill at a sub-branch in Kuliarchar, Kishoreganj. The footage, collected Monday morning, has become crucial evidence in the investigation.
The video from Sunday between 12:30pm and 1:30pm shows customers conducting transactions normally until about 1pm. After the customers left, accountant Hosna Rahman suddenly collapsed and began vomiting. Within minutes, five other staff members – including two women – also fell ill. Some attempted to crawl outside while semi-conscious, but branch manager Shoumik Zaman Khan and another employee remained slumped in their chairs, vomiting.
Security guard Kamal Hossain appeared relatively unaffected initially. The footage shows him slowly approaching the cash counter to make a phone call, but he broke the glass partition in the attempt. When a customer entered, Kamal tried speaking to them before the person quickly left. Another guard, Jewel Mia, later arrived and helped evacuate the sick staff.
After review, authorities preliminarily ruled out sabotage or robbery – no money was missing, and the vault remained intact.
Police suspect the generator may be responsible. Despite regulations requiring outdoor placement, the generator operated for four hours in a confined room during a power outage from 10am to noon. Investigators believe toxic gas emissions from the generator could have caused the incident.
According to police officials, all employees were in gradual recovery, with food, drink, and vomit samples collected for further investigation.
The affected staff are currently undergoing treatment at Zahurul Islam Medica. College Hospital.