20 Dec 2010

Stock exchange riot in Dhaka

3:30 pm on 20 December 2010

Investors rioted in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, on Sunday after the stock exchange suffered its steepest fall in one day.

Bricks were thrown at security personnel and a sit-in was held.

Shares in the stock exchange experienced large falls within hours of opening on Sunday as investors went on a selling spree.

The index ended the day down by 552 points or 6.72%.

The BBC reports the market has been on a rollercoaster ride in recent weeks, hitting a record high on 5 December, having climbed 80% since the start of the year.

But on 8 December it nosedived, prompting protests in Dhaka and towns elsewhere.

Analysts say Sunday's fall was triggered by an rise in interest-rates by the central bank.