Gas explosion in Chattogram claims third life

Another victim has died following a gas explosion in the port city of Chattogram, raising the death toll to three, officials said.

Md Samir Ahmed Suman, 40, died at about 11:55 am on Tuesday while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, hospital sources said.

Doctors said he had suffered burns to around 40 per cent of his body, according to a UNB report.

Earlier in the morning, 16-year-old Md Shawon, who was also injured in the same incident, died while undergoing treatment at the institute’s Male High Dependency Unit (M-HDU).

Nine burn victims were brought to the Dhaka-based specialist hospital from Chattogram on Monday evening, according to Assistant Professor Dr Shaon Bin Rahman, a resident physician at the institute.

A third victim, Nurzahan Akter Rani, 40, was declared dead on arrival with 100 per cent burns, doctors said.

Medical staff described the condition of the remaining patients as critical.

Shakhawat Hossain and Ashura Akter Pakhi sustained 100 per cent burns, while Md Shipon suffered 80 per cent burns.

Ayesha Akter received burns to 45 per cent of her body, Umme Ayman Snigdha 38 per cent, and Md Farhan Ahmed Anas 30 per cent. All are undergoing treatment.

The explosion occurred at about 5:30 am on Monday on the third floor of a six-storey residential building, Halima Manzil, in the H Block area of Halishahar.

Officials said a suspected gas line leak may have caused the blast.

The injured were initially treated in Chattogram before being transferred in stages to Dhaka for specialised care.

Authorities said an investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, and the condition of the injured remains under close monitoring.