The death toll from the catastrophic fire at N Alam Filling Station in the Kalatali area of Cox’s Bazar has risen to three, following the passing of Motaher early Thursday morning (5 March) at the burn unit of Chittagong Medical College (ChMC) Hospital.
Motaher’s demise was confirmed by his nephew, Md. Hridoy Babu, who stated that his uncle had been receiving intensive treatment at ChMC for several days following severe burn injuries. Despite the doctors’ best efforts, Motaher could not be saved. Family sources indicated that his funeral is tentatively scheduled to take place after the Asr prayer on Thursday, though the exact timing may change following discussions with relatives.
Earlier, Abu Taher and Abdur Rahim succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.
Injured and Currently Under Treatment
At least 16 workers and employees were injured in the blaze on 25 February. Ten of the injured were admitted to ChMC and other hospitals, and seven remain under medical care.
| Total Injured | Hospitalised | Currently Under Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 10 | 7 |
Local residents allege that the gas station was operating without adequate safety measures. Many claim that the tragic incident was a direct consequence of the station being run without proper authorisation.
Legal and Regulatory Status
According to the charge sheet filed by the Explosives Department, the filling station lacked the necessary approvals, including:
No-objection certificate from the District Administration
Environmental clearance from the Department of Environment
Fire service permit
Explosives Department licence
The station’s owner, Nurul Alam, also known as N Alam, has been named as the principal accused in the case.
Bereaved families have accused the authorities of negligence and violation of regulations, which they say led to the loss of their loved ones. They are demanding a thorough investigation, exemplary punishment for those responsible, and adequate compensation for the affected families.
Local administration has increased vigilance in the area and pledged support to the grieving families. Nevertheless, the shadow of tragedy continues to linger over Kalatali, prompting renewed calls from residents for strict enforcement of safety standards.
This devastating incident has underscored the urgent need for greater public awareness and proactive administrative oversight regarding gas station safety in Cox’s Bazar.