Gas leak blast in Dhaka’s Uttara leaves 10 of a family burned

A suspected gas leak explosion in Dhaka’s Uttara area left 10 members of the same family with burn injuries early Friday, highlighting ongoing concerns over gas safety and residential energy infrastructure in the capital.

The blast occurred in Kamarpara, Uttara, when accumulated gas inside a residential building apparently ignited, causing a powerful explosion that injured all occupants of a flat.

The injured were identified as Md Rubel, Sonia Akter, Roza, Ria, Enayet Ali, Delera Khatun, Junayed, Habib, Ayesha Khatun and Abu Kalam Rubel.

All victims were rushed to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, where several remain in critical condition.

Resident surgeon Shawon Bin Rahman said the injuries ranged from minor to extremely severe burns.

According to medical officials, Sonia Akter, who is pregnant, sustained 100 per cent burns, while Enayet Ali suffered 45 per cent burns. Md Rubel and Ria each sustained 32 per cent burns, Roza 18 per cent, Delera Khatun 14 per cent, Junayed 24 per cent, Habib 19 per cent, Ayesha Khatun 12 per cent, and Abu Kalam Rubel 7 per cent burns.

Patients with severe injuries have been placed in the intensive care unit, while others remain under observation, hospital authorities said.

Md Rubel, a motorcycle ride-sharing driver, lives with his family on the second floor of the building where the explosion occurred.

Enayet Ali, who works in Dubai and had recently returned to Bangladesh, was visiting Rubel with his family from their village when the incident happened.

A relative of the victims, Sajed Matabbur, said residents were awakened by a loud explosion in the early hours of Friday.

“After hearing the blast, we rushed outside and saw parts of the ground floor and first-floor walls had collapsed. All 10 people inside the flat suffered burn injuries,” he said.

Initial assessments suggest the explosion was caused by accumulated gas inside the building, though authorities are expected to conduct further investigation to determine the exact cause.

Gas leak incidents and pipeline safety remain persistent concerns in Dhaka’s urban energy infrastructure, with experts urging stronger monitoring, maintenance and safety awareness to prevent similar accidents.

Emergency services and local authorities are continuing to assess the structural damage to the building while medical teams monitor the condition of the injured victims.