Factory boiler explosion injures 12 in Gazipur

As many as 12 workers have been injured in a boiler explosion at a garment factory in the Jainabazar area of Sreepur in Gazipur.

The incident took place at the HDF Apparels Limited factory around 9am on Monday, according to MR Shipu Chowdhury, the factory’s administrative manager.

Eight of the injured workers were identified as Sujan, Rais Uddin, Shukkur, Sonia, Lima, Iqbal, Yasin Ali, and Shahjahan. Many of them received first aid at nearby facilities, including Al Hera Hospital at Maona intersection.

Dr Alim Biswas of Al Hera Hospital said six of the injured workers were brought in for treatment following the explosion. “None of them have any major injuries,” he stated.

However, he noted that Yasin had been taken to Mymensingh by his relatives, while Sujan, who sustained a serious injury to his left leg, remains under treatment at the hospital. The other patients were discharged after receiving first aid.

According to the factory’s administrative manager, the incident occurred unexpectedly in the sample room.

He said, “The workers began work in the morning, and everything was going well until the mini boiler in the factory’s sample room suddenly exploded.”

Sohel Rana, the factory’s electrical in-charge, suggested that operational errors might have caused the explosion. “The people who operate the boiler installed in the sample room came around 8am and switched it on. At that time, they may not have noticed whether it was taking in water.”

“It is believed that the steam outline opened as the boiler heated up, resulting in the explosion. Perhaps the motor could not draw water properly, or there was no water in the tank, causing the accident.”

AKM Zahirul Islam, superintendent of police for the Gazipur Industrial Area, said: “Several people were injured in the explosion. Among them, workers Sujan Mia, a sample man, and Rais Uddin, holding the same position, were seriously injured.”

The factory also incurred a loss of Tk 500,000 to Tk 600,000, said Zahirul.