Gazipur cylinder blast: Death toll rises to 17
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The victim has 80% burns on his body
The death toll from a cylinder blast in Gazipur on March 13 has risen to 17, with another injured succumbing to his injuries.
The deceased has been identified as Kuddus Khan, 45.
He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery at 8:18pm on Saturday.
Dr Partha Shankar Paul, a resident physician at the institution, confirmed the matter
The victim had 80% burns on his body, he said.
Sequence of events
In Gazipur's Kaliakair area, a gas cylinder explosion just before iftar on March 13 left at least 32 individuals injured, with 14 sustaining severe burns exceeding 80% of the surface area of their bodies.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:45pm in the Mouchak Tilerchala locality.
According to eyewitnesses, a family discovered a gas leak in their kitchen cylinder. Despite attempting to contain it by wrapping the cylinder in a wet cloth, they failed, leading them to place it in an alley beside the road, according to media reports.
The sound of the leaking gas attracted nearby residents, including women and children, who gathered out of curiosity.
The street was buzzing with activity as many, including garment factory workers, were heading home for iftar, just before sunset.
Unbeknownst to the crowd, the gas began to disperse into the air.
An attempt to ignite a stove in a house nearby ignited the dispersed gas, igniting a fire that engulfed bystanders and spread.
Victims were rushed to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery for urgent medical attention.