NARAYANGANJ, Bangladesh — A gas explosion in a dyeing factory on Sunday morning left six workers with burn injuries, marking another incident in an industry often marred by safety concerns. The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. in the boiler room of the SM Dyeing Printing and Finishing factory, located within the BSCIC industrial area.
The injured workers, who range in age from 30 to 40, are currently receiving medical care at the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute. Among the victims are Al Amin, Azizulla, Selim, Jalal Molla, Nazmul Huda, and security guard supervisor Nur Mohammad.
According to Al Amin, the explosion was sudden and violent, originating from the gas line while they worked in the boiler room. He recounted the chaos of the moment: a loud explosion was followed quickly by flames engulfing the area, leaving all six workers injured. After the incident, they were swiftly rescued and transported to the hospital.
Shawn Bin Rahman, a resident surgeon at the institute, reported that the medical team is currently assessing the extent of the injuries as the patients undergo treatment. He indicated that it would take time to determine the severity of the burns, as the dressing procedures were still ongoing.
Factory explosions such as this raise ongoing concerns about safety protocols in Bangladesh’s garment and textile industry, which has faced scrutiny over worker protection measures. The risks associated with gas and chemical handling have been underscored by previous incidents in similar facilities.
In response to the situation, local authorities and industry representatives are expected to review safety practices to prevent further tragedies. Meanwhile, the workers and their families are left to cope with the aftermath of this explosive incident, as they await updates on their treatment and recovery.
As investigations into the cause of the explosion continue, community members are voicing their concerns about worker safety and the need for stricter regulations within the industrial sector.