Septic tank explosion kills three in Narayanganj

Two children and a pregnant woman were killed in a septic tank explosion at Bandar upazila in Naryanganj today.

The deceased are Masnun, 13, Jisan, 8, and Laboni Akhter. Masnun and Jisan are siblings.

Police and local people said the incident took place at around 6 am on the ground floor of a five-storey building owned by Rafiqul Islam Hasan in Dighirpar Mollahbari area.

Four other buildings of the area were also damaged by the explosion.

The eight-month pregnant woman Laboni Akhter was injured as a wall of a neighbour building collapsed on a tin shade house she was staying. She died on her way to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Bandar Police Station, told The Business Standard, "Five others were injured in the incident. The cause of the explosion of the septic tank is being investigated."

"Action will be taken after the engineer of the city corporation inspects and gives the report about whether there was any defect in the construction of the building," he added.

Station officer of Narayanganj Bandar Fire station Jinnat Ali Khan said, "We are assuming that the explosion took place due to the construction defect of the building."   

Bandar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shukla Sarker visited the place. She instructed to evacuate the people from the damaged buildings.