A serious industrial accident occurred on Tuesday, 10 February, at a factory located in Chittagong’s Oxygen Area, when a boiler explosion injured eleven workers. The incident took place around 11:00 am in a section of the plant where bottles were being prepared for liquid products.
According to the Fire Service, teams from the Bayezid and Kalurghat fire stations arrived at the scene promptly and managed to bring the fire under control within half an hour. Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosion was triggered by an electrical short circuit.
The factory authorities acted swiftly to evacuate and provide medical attention to the injured. All eleven workers were admitted to the factory’s own hospital. Of these, eight received initial treatment and were subsequently discharged. The remaining three are currently under hospital care. Although several of the injured sustained severe burns, doctors confirmed that their conditions are stable.
Production at the factory has been temporarily suspended following the accident, while the Fire Service and local administration have taken additional measures to secure the affected area and prevent further incidents.
A Fire Service official remarked, “Our preliminary assessment indicates that the combination of faulty electrical wiring and inadequate safety measures contributed to this incident. It is crucial that stricter safety protocols are implemented to prevent similar accidents in the future.”
The details of the injured workers and their current medical status are summarised in the table below:
| Serial | Number of Injured Workers | Treatment Provided | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Initial treatment | Discharged |
| 2 | 3 | Admitted to hospital | Under treatment |
| Total | 11 | – | – |
Local residents reported that the explosion was loud enough to be heard across the surrounding area, causing panic among nearby workers who evacuated to safer locations. Authorities and the factory management have pledged urgent inspections and enhanced safety measures to prevent recurrence.
Industrial safety experts warn that without proper enforcement of safety standards, Chittagong’s factories remain at risk of more serious incidents. Coordinated oversight between local authorities and industrial management, along with rigorous protection measures for workers, is deemed essential to avoid future tragedies.