Five Bangladeshis killed in gas cylinder blast in Maldives

Five Bangladeshi migrant workers were killed and two others critically injured after a gas cylinder exploded at a labour quarter of an under-construction company on Dhigurah Island in the Maldives.

Labour Counsellor at the Bangladesh High Commission in the Maldives, Md Sohel Parvez, confirmed the incident on Friday.

The deceased were identified as Taj Uddin Islam, Md Sadar Ali, Md Robin Molla, Shafiqul Islam and Md Nurnabi Sarker.

The injured Bangladeshis are Jamal Uddin and Saddam Hossain.

According to local media reports, the explosion occurred early Friday when workers were preparing food for sehri. A gas cylinder exploded inside the labour quarter where 38 Bangladeshi workers were staying.

Seven workers suffered severe burn injuries in the blast while the others were asleep in different rooms.

Local residents and fire service personnel rescued the victims and rushed them to a nearby hospital. Doctors declared five of the injured Bangladeshis dead there.

The two other injured workers were later transferred to the capital, Malé, for advanced treatment. Their conditions remain critical.

Labour Counsellor Sohel Parvez said one of the injured workers is being treated in the ICU, while the other is receiving treatment in the emergency department. Both remain in critical condition.