The Bomb Disposal Unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police found no hazardous substance in the ward where six newborns died at Ad-din Medical College Hospital in the capital, though they did detect an odour which officials said could occur when the air conditioner remains switched off.

The DMP Bomb Disposal Unit visited the ward on Wednesday afternoon and conducted inspections for around an hour, but found nothing harmful there.

A five-member team from the unit carried out the inspection.

One member of the team, requesting anonymity, said, “We did not find anything hazardous. However, there was a slight smell which can occur if the AC remains switched off.”

Earlier, the Crime Scene Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department also visited the hospital.
 
Members of Rapid Action Battalion, DB police and several intelligence agencies also inspected the site.

Later, DMP Commissioner  Mosleh Uddin Ahmed visited the hospital and spoke to reporters.

The DMP Commissioner said 11 mothers, along with six newborns, were staying in the post-operative Ward.

According to him, one of the mothers requested that the air conditioner be turned off as she was feeling cold. Following the request, a nurse reportedly kept the AC switched off for around an hour.

He said when the room later became warm, the AC was switched on again at the request of the patients.

Soon after, two babies fell sick, while the remaining four also became ill shortly afterwards.

All six newborns later died while undergoing treatment,  he added.