At least ten people suffered burn injuries following an explosion at a gas cylinder shop in Chandanaish upazila in Chattogram on Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred around 8am at Yunus Market in the Charoti Union area, authorities confirmed.
The injured were identified as shop owner Mahbubur Rahman, 45, along with Md Sourav Rahman, 25, Mohammad Kofil, 22, Mohammad Riaz, 17, Mohammad Yunus, 26, Mohammad Akib, 17, Md Harun, 29, Mohammad Idris, 30, Mohammad Liton, 28, and Mohammad Saleh, 33.
Medical officials at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) say that the condition of at least three to four of the victims is critical.
Speaking to the media, Saber Ahmed, station officer of the Chandanaish Fire Service, said firefighters rushed to the scene immediately after receiving reports of the explosion. The fire was brought under control after about an hour of effort.
Quoting the locals the fire service official Saber said that the explosion occurred while unloading gas cylinders at the shop, leaving all 10 people injured. The injured were rescued and were taken to CMCH for treatment.
The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed, he said adding that more details will be revealed after the investigation is completed.
Dr Mohammad Khaled of CMCH’s Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit confirmed receiving the injured, noting that most of them had sustained burns to the respiratory tract. “They have suffered burns covering 40 to 70 per cent of their bodies”, he added.
Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam also visited the victims at the hospital. Speaking to reporters, he said, “Most of the patients are in critical condition. Treatment is ongoing, and if their families wish to transfer them to Dhaka for advanced care, they are free to do so.”
