A second victim has died after a gas leak-triggered explosion left three members of the same family with severe burn injuries in Dhaka’s Bhatara, raising the death toll from the incident to two.
The deceased were identified as Shahin, 24, and his eight-year-old niece, Hafsa Akter. Hafsa died at about 1am on Thursday, while Shahin succumbed to his injuries at around 6am on Friday.
Shawon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, confirmed the deaths. He said Shahin had suffered burns to 50 per cent of his body, while Hafsa sustained burns over 40 per cent. The third victim, Fahima, remains hospitalised with 45 per cent burns and is in critical condition.
The explosion occurred at about 4am on Tuesday on the ground floor of a six-storey building on the 100-Foot Road in Notun Bazar, Bhatara.
Neighbour Md Jasim Uddin said Shahin worked at a clothing showroom. Hearing a loud explosion, he rushed to the scene and found the three victims with severe burn injuries before they were taken to hospital.
He suspected that gas from a leak in a Titas Gas transmission line had accumulated inside the flat overnight before igniting in the early morning during cooking or another activity.
Shamima Sultana, aunt of the injured Fahima, alleged that the family had noticed the smell of gas since moving into the flat. Although the landlord arranged one repair after being informed, subsequent leaks were not fixed despite repeated complaints.
She alleged that the landlord’s negligence was responsible for the fatal incident.
