Ten workers were severely burned after an explosion ripped through a gas cylinder shop in Chandanaiash of Chattogram, on Wednesday morning (Sept 17).

The blast occurred around 8 am at Yunus Market in Charpara area of Charati Union while workers were unloading gas cylinders, according to local fire service officials.

The injured have been identified as shop owner Mahbubur Rahman (45), Md Saurav 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 Sale (33).

Doctors said the condition of three to four of the victims is critical. All ten have been admitted to the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH).

Saber Ahmed, station officer of Chandanaiash Fire Service, said firefighters rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the explosion and brought the blaze under control after nearly an hour. 

“We learned from locals that the cylinders were being unloaded when the accident happened,” he told local media.

Dr Mohammad Khaled of CMCH’s burn unit said most of the patients suffered inhalation injuries in addition to burns covering 40–70 percent of their bodies.

SMS/