Six individuals who were affected by the unauthorized LPG filling station explosion in Cox’s Bazar are currently in critical condition and are receiving medical care at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), as per district authorities. Additional District Magistrate Shahidul Islam disclosed that all six victims sustained inhalation injuries, which medical professionals have cautioned could pose life-threatening risks even with minor respiratory tract burns.
The injured parties are identified as Abdur Rahim, 32; Siraj, 30; Abu Taher, 40; Abul Kashem, 27; Sakib, 30; and Mutabber, 40, with burn injuries ranging from 20 to 93 percent. Dr. Ashfaqul Asif, the registrar of CMCH’s Burn and Plastic Surgery unit, mentioned that Taher, Siraj, and Rahim were transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to worsening conditions. He further emphasized that all patients have inhalation injuries and are still under critical observation.
The explosion took place around 10:00 pm on Wednesday at the LPG filling station near Kolatoli, resulting in injuries to at least 15 individuals. Fire Service officials suspect errors during gas loading and unloading as the probable cause. Syed Muhammad Morshed Hossain, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence, highlighted that the station lacked a fire safety plan and the necessary certification from Fire Service and Civil Defence, which is compulsory for such establishments.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan announced the formation of a five-member investigative committee, led by the additional district magistrate, and comprising representatives from Fire Service, Environment Department, district police, and the Department of Explosives. The committee head, Shahidul Alam, confirmed the initiation of inquiries, including questioning the station owner and assessing the compliance of neighboring filling stations.
The station’s proprietor, N Alam, a local businessman, asserted that he had the required authorization to operate the facility. Following a site visit, it was observed that the filling station was charred, with nearby vegetation burnt, and two adjacent houses destroyed. Residents affected by the blast expressed their distress, with Islam Begum, the wife of victim Md Siraj, recounting the failure of firefighters to prevent the gas leakage that triggered the explosion.
An individual named Mohammad Arif, a driver who used the parking area near the incident site, described the chaotic scene during the explosion, likening it to a nightmarish scenario.
