On Eid al-Adha day, at least 76 people were injured across various parts of Sylhet while slaughtering sacrificial animals. Of those injured, 26 were admitted to the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital in serious condition; the remainder received first aid and returned home.
Incident Details
• From morning until 7:00 PM, the hospital’s Emergency Department treated 76 patients with injuries sustained during Qurbani.
• Twenty-six of them required admission for bleeding control, stitches, and further examination; four are in critical condition.
• The other 50 patients suffered cuts to their limbs or torsos from knives or cleavers, or were injured by a cow’s hooves or horns.
Eyewitness Accounts
Bajlul Amin, a resident of the Mazumdari area, said, “We were slaughtering a cow together. I was holding its leg when it suddenly kicked backwards and struck me below the abdomen. The pain was so severe that I rushed to the hospital immediately.”
Abdul Sattar from Sylhet Sadar shared, “Despite my age, I always handle the slaughter myself. This time, my knife slipped while cutting the meat and I cut my toe badly. There was heavy bleeding, and I needed stitches at the hospital.”
Causes of the Accidents
According to the hospital’s Casualty Unit, most injuries occurred due to lack of experience and improper handling of knives or cleavers. In many cases, non-professional butchers failed to secure the animal properly, resulting in kicks or horn wounds.
Hospital Response
Dr. Soumitra Chakraborty, Deputy Director of Osmani Medical College Hospital, said:
> “On such a busy day, we always prepare extra staff and supplies. From morning to evening we treated 76 injured patients, admitting 26 whose conditions were serious. We are controlling bleeding, performing stitches, and conducting necessary tests. We remain hopeful that all will recover fully.”
He added that the hospital had stocked additional blood bags, suturing materials, and emergency medicines in advance of the holiday.
Safety Recommendations
1. Hire Professional Butchers: Employ trained butchers to ensure proper restraint of the animal and safe handling of the blade.
2. Use Proper Equipment: Sharpen knives and cleavers correctly and maintain a secure grip on the handle.
3. Choose a Safe Location: Select a stable, non-slippery area clear of bystanders for the slaughter.
4. Basic First Aid Knowledge: Family members should be familiar with wound-dressing and bleeding-control techniques.