At least seven people sustained burn injuries following an explosion at a petrol pump in Amtoli area of Mohakhali in the capital on Tuesday afternoon.
The incident occurred around 1pm at the “Gulshan Petrol Pump” in Mohakhali, authorities confirmed. All the injured have been admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
The injured were identified as Swapan Molla, 24, Kabir, 18, Rubel, 28, and Khairul, 28, all employees of a cleaning company named Gulshan Clean and Care. The others were Masudur Rahman, 44, the owner of another business, and his employees, Alamgir Hossain, 40, and Sajib, 31.
According to Swapan Molla, they were brought to the petrol pump to clean an underground fuel tank. After draining the tank, they used an electric fan to ventilate the remaining gas. The explosion occurred when someone attempted to switch off the fan.
“All seven of us were nearby when the explosion happened. We were burned in different parts of our bodies,” said Swapan told reporters from his hospital bed.
The fire was quickly brought under control, and all victims were taken to the hospital by locals and petrol pump staff.
Doctors at the burn institute said all seven are under close observation in the emergency unit. “Several of them have sustained significant burns, but it will take some time to assess the extent of each injury,” said a hospital official.
