Gazipur cylinder fire toll hits six

The Report Desk

Published: March 17, 2024, 10:03 PM

Gazipur cylinder fire toll hits six

File photo (collected)

A couple, who were injured in the Gazipur gas cylinder fire on Wednesday, died on Sunday while receiving treatment at the Shiekh Hasina Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, raising the body count from the accident on March 13 to six.

The deceased are Mohidul Khan, 26, of Sirajganj‍‍`s Shahjadpur upazila, and his wife Nargis, 22, said the hospital‍‍`s resident surgeon Dr Tariqul Islam.

Mohidul was a worker at a jute godown, while Nargis worked at a sweater-knitting factory.

Mohidul and his wife suffered 95% and 90% burns respectively.

They lived in a colony in Kaliakoir upazila of Gazipur, said his nephew Akash Khan.

They left behind a son, Sajid, 3, who lives with his grandparents in their village home, he added.

In Gazipur‍‍`s Kaliakair area, a gas cylinder explosion just before iftar on March 13 left at least 32 individuals injured, with 14 sustaining severe burns exceeding 80% of the surface area of their bodies.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:45pm in the Mouchak Tilerchala locality.

According to eyewitnesses, a family discovered a gas leak in their kitchen cylinder. Despite attempting to contain it by wrapping the cylinder in a wet cloth, they failed, leading them to place it in an alley beside the road, according to media reports.

The sound of the leaking gas attracted nearby residents, including women and children, who gathered out of curiosity.

The street was buzzing with activity as many, including garment factory workers, were heading home for iftar, just before sunset.

Unbeknownst to the crowd, the gas began to disperse into the air.

An attempt to ignite a stove in a house nearby ignited the dispersed gas, igniting a fire that engulfed bystanders and spread.

Victims were rushed to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery for urgent medical attention.

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