Huge explosion at Moghbazar, 7 killed, more than 100 injured
It was a gas explosion, says DMP chief
Highlights-
- The blast took place around 7:30pm.
- So far 7 people died in the incident
- The identity of the deceased could not be known immediately.
- Around 10 people are in critical condition
- More than 100 people are undergoing treatment at different hospitals
At least seven people including a child were killed and more than 100 people were injured in an explosion that took place near Aarong Showroom in Moghbazar Wireless Gate area in the capital.
The five-member probe body, which has been formed to investigate the incident, will submit its report within seven working days.
10.30am
"So far the explosion does not seem like a subversive act. The smell of methane gas is present inside the building thus the possibility of gas accumulation cannot be ruled out," Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed said after visiting the location at 10.30am on Monday.
He noted that the incident will be looked into by the bomb disposal unit of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit to explore that angle as well.
"A bomb attack will leave the mark of four-dimensional destruction, whereas, the blast here manifests one-way destruction. Yet, the investigation will not negate any possible angle."
12:20am
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam visited the spot.
11:55pm
Titas Managing Director told TBS, "I have inspected the site and found that no gas connection was there as per our record . But we have found LPG cylinders, whose were used for cooking. I talked to a rented person of that building who told that they used LPG cylinders for cooking. So we had a line that was only 3/4' diameter 2 psi line. So there is no scope to accumulate gas in that restaurant. So we can make sure there is no gas leakage at all."
11:00pm
In a briefing, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence Brigadier General Sazzad Hussain said, "The explosion might took place from any gas pipe or cylinder blast. The building is also a risky one."
10:40pm
"The blast took place at Shawarma House, situated at the ground floor of a 3-storey building beside main road, probably from gas explosion. Seven adjacent buildings and three buses were damaged due to the blast. Seven people died in the incident so far," Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said after visiting the spot.
When asked, the DMP chief said, "It was not a bomb blast. If it were a bomb blast, there would be splinters everywhere or on the body of the injured. We did not find any such thing. We surely can say that it was a gas explosion."
"Fire service will form probe committee to investigate the incident. They are expert on such issue. They will investigate and give their opinion," he added.
"I can say from my experience that such explosions can happen from air conditioner blast," said Syed Nurul Islam, joint commissioner of Traffic (DMP).
10:35pm
Police Inspector Bachchu Mia said, one more person succumbed to injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
10:15pm
According to witnesses, some of the buses at the spot ran over pedestrians losing control following the explosion.
9:50 pm
A team of fire service officials confirmed that the explosion originated in a commercial space opposite of Aarong showroom.
Dhaka Community Hospital Supervisor Ashikur Rahman Sadiq told The Business Standard that two more injured from the explosion had died at the hospital.
"The ground floor of a building on the opposite side of Aarong is where the explosion may have taken place," said one of the fire service official.
He also noted that half of the building has collapsed already. There was no sign of fire inside the spot.
However, he could not confirm the exact cause of the explosion. "The explosion may have been caused by gas but it could be a terror attack also," he said.
A 3-member investigation committee of the fire service will be formed to probe the incident.
9:40 pm
Dhaka Community Hospital Supervisor Ashikur Rahman Sadiq told The Business Standard that two more injured from the explosion had died.
DMP Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Sazzadur Rahman said the cause of the accident is still unknown.
9:20 pm
SHNIBPS Resident Surgeon Dr Partha Shankar Paul said nearly 50 people are admitted to DMCH and SHNIBPS.
"36 people are receiving treatment in the DMCH emergency department and 13 people in SHNIBPS. Two people died while undergoing treatment at the burn unit," he told The Business Standard.
8:30 pm
The blast happened at around 7:30 pm, DMP Ramna (Patrol) ASP Rajan Kumar Saha told The Business Standard.
"Several people were burnt in the blast in Maghbazar. At least 10 are undergoing treatment at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (SHNIBPS) and eight at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital," he said.
The blast partially damaged Bishal Center and Aarong showroom.
Meanwhile, 14 units of fire service are working at the explosion spot.
A DMP Bomb Disposal Unit has also reached the spot.
Mahbub, a security guard of Aarong showroom said the loud explosion took place on the opposite side of their building.
"The blast shattered the glass of Aarong and Bishal Center," he told The Business Standard.
According to witnesses, some of the buses at the spot ran over pedestrians losing control following the explosion.
