A devastating gas cylinder explosion occurred at a shop in Chandanai, Chattogram, leaving the owner and nine workers critically injured. The incident took place around 8:00 am on Wednesday (September 17) at Vailtali Yunus Market.
According to the Fire Service, the blast happened while unloading gas cylinders at the shop owned by Mahbubur Rahman. The fire was triggered when a worker carelessly lit a cigarette, sparking an immediate explosion that engulfed the shop in flames.
The injured include shop owner Mahbubur Rahman (45), and workers Saurav Rahman (25), Kofil (22), Riaz (17), Yunus (26), Akib (17), Harun (29), Idris (30), Liton (28), and Sale (33). All of them suffered severe burns on different parts of their bodies.
Locals rushed the victims to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH). Police camp in-charge at CMCH, Mohammad Alauddin, confirmed that doctors admitted them to Unit 36 of the Burn and Plastic Surgery Department for treatment.
Doctors said several victims are in critical condition. The explosion caused panic in the area, though the fire has since been brought under control and the situation is now stable.