One of nine people who suffered burn injuries in a gas explosion caused by an apparent build-up of gas in a kitchen in Halishahar, Chittagong, has died.
The deceased, Rani Akter (40), passed away on Monday while being transferred from Chittagong Medical College (CMCH) Hospital to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.
Rani Akter’s relative, Md Mokbul Hossain, confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune in the evening.
Rani Akter was the wife of Shakhawat Hossain, a resident of the AC Mosque area in H Block, Halishahar. Shakhawat Hossain also sustained burn injuries. Their home district is Barura in Comilla.
The explosion occurred early Monday morning in a flat near the AC Mosque in H Block, Halishahar. The injured are: Shakhawat Hossain (46), Md Shipon (30), Md Suman (40), Md Shawon (17), Md Anas (7), Md Aiman (9), Ayesha Akter (4), and Pakhi Akter (35). All were admitted to the Burn Unit of Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Their conditions are reported to be critical.
Doctors stated that Rani Akter suffered burns over 100% of her body. She was referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment but died on the way.
Assistant Registrar of the Burn Unit at CMCH, Liton Kumar Palit, told Dhaka Tribune that all nine burn victims were in critical condition. They had been advised to seek advanced treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. Relatives transported them to Dhaka in the afternoon, and it was later knew that one had died.
Head of the Burn Unit, Dr Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, said that all nine victims had sustained respiratory tract injuries and remained in a critical condition. Among them, Rani, Pakhi, and Shakhawat suffered 100% burns. One patient sustained 80% burns, another 45%, while the remaining victims suffered between 20 and 25% burns.
According to the Fire Service, the explosion occurred at approximately 4:30 am in a third-floor flat of a six-storey building named Halima Manzil. A fire broke out following the explosion. Firefighters arrived at the scene and brought the blaze under control after nearly two hours. However, local residents had already rescued the injured and taken them to hospital before the Fire Service arrived.
Deputy Assistant Director of the divisional Fire Service, Alamgir Hossain, stated that no LPG cylinder was used in the flat. Instead, the residence had a gas connection supplied by Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company. It is suspected that gas may have leaked from the stove for some reason, accumulated in the kitchen, and subsequently exploded, causing the injuries.
