Bangladesh stampede: 22 killed as thousands storm charity clothes giveaway

Another 30 have been injured in the town 115 kilometres (70 miles) north of the capital, Dhaka

Bangladeshi Muslims waiting to collect iftar meals, food for the breaking daytime fast, distributed by Bangladeshi Buddhist monks in the main shrine of Dhammarajika Monastery in Dhaka. Charity giveaways are popular from wealthy businessmen in the month of (MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images)

A stampede has killed at least 22 people in Mymensingh, central Bangladesh.

Over a thousand stormed a charity clothes giveaway at a businessman’s factory in the early hours of the morning.

Another 30 have been injured in the town 115 kilometres (70 miles) north of the capital, Dhaka.

Kamrul Islam, a police officer, said that a crowd of approximately 1,500 people gathered outside the businessman’s factory compound around 4am.

The crowd stormed in when the gates were opened to collect free clothing, causing a crush.

Police have detained seven people, including the owner of the factory.

"Most of the dead are poor and emaciated women," Mymensingh police chief Moinul Haque told AFP.

Police said they expected the death toll to rise.

Stampedes are common at religious places and during charity handouts in South Asian countries.

Additional reporting AP