Septic tank explosion leaves 3 furniture workers burnt

Three furniture workers have suffered burn injuries after a gas explosion inside a septic tank at a multi-storey building in Dhaka’s Kalabagan area.

The incident happened shortly after midnight on Wednesday while the men were carrying out furniture varnishing work on the ground floor of a seven-storey building, according to people who accompanied the injured to hospital.

The injured have been identified as Md Jewel, 20, Md Rana, 22, and Md Parvez, 21. All three are from Bangkhali village in Karimganj upazila of Kishoreganj district.

They were taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery at around 12:30am, where doctors assessed the extent of their injuries.

Dr Harunur Rashid, a resident physician at the burn institute, said Rana had sustained burns to 63% of his body, while Jewel suffered burns covering 30%. Parvez sustained burns to 21% of his body.

Because of the seriousness of their injuries, Rana and Jewel were admitted to the intensive care unit for specialised treatment, while Parvez remained under medical care.

Md Rajib, who accompanied the injured to hospital, said the three men were employed at a furniture workshop in the Panthapath area. He said they had been varnishing furniture when gas that had accumulated inside the building’s septic tank ignited and exploded.

The precise cause of the blast has not been officially confirmed, and it remains unclear what triggered the ignition.

Authorities have not yet announced whether an investigation has been launched into the incident. Workplace accidents linked to confined spaces and the build-up of combustible gases continue to pose significant safety risks, highlighting the importance of proper ventilation and safety precautions during maintenance and construction-related work.