Hospital authorities have formed a five-member investigation committee to probe the fire that broke out in an under-construction elevator at the new building of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH). The panel has been instructed to submit its findings within three working days.

The committee was officially constituted on Tuesday morning (September 15) following a late-night administrative review. Headed by Professor Golam Rahman of the hospital’s Medicine Department, the probe team includes Dr. Main Uddin Khan, Assistant Director (Administration), alongside representatives from the Fire Service and Civil Defence, as well as executive and electrical engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD).

The incident occurred on Monday evening when a fire erupted in a long-disused elevator shaft undergoing installation in the multi-story structure, generating thick smoke throughout the facility. The sudden outbreak triggered widespread panic among patients, visitors, and hospital staff, leading to a stampede down the stairwells in which several individuals sustained minor injuries.

In the immediate aftermath, unverified reports circulated across news outlets and social media channels claiming up to six casualties, including a child, resulting from the panic.

Following an emergency closed-door meeting held late Monday night by senior divisional and hospital officials, Mymensingh Divisional Commissioner S.M. Humayun Kabir clarified that there is no evidence indicating any deaths were caused by a stampede or the fire itself.

Distinguishing between rumors and verified medical records, officials confirmed that four patients died of natural causes or pre-existing medical conditions around the time of the incident. Families of two deceased individuals confirmed their relatives passed away naturally during treatment, while cause-of-death evaluations remain underway for two others. Hospital operations and medical services have since returned to normal.