A severe explosion at an LPG gas pump in the Chandrima Housing area of Cox’s Bazar city on Wednesday night (25 February) has left sixteen people injured, ten of them seriously. The incident occurred at approximately 9:00 pm at the Cox’s Bazar Filling Station, which was not yet officially operational.
According to reports, three of the injured were referred to Dhaka for advanced medical treatment, while seven others were admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. The remaining six received treatment at local medical facilities.
The owner of the station, Nurul Alam, stated that the pump was intended to open within a few days. However, authorities confirmed that the installation had been carried out without the necessary approval from the fire service.
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Cause of the Explosion
Syed Muhammad Morshed Hossain, Deputy Director of the Cox’s Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defence, said:
“The gas pump was being installed in a residential area. A gas leakage triggered the explosion. Legal action will be taken against the owner.”
Fire Control Efforts
Immediately following the explosion, emergency services, including the Cox’s Bazar Fire Service, as well as units from the Army, Air Force, and Navy, mobilised to contain the fire. Firefighters brought the blaze under control by 1:00 am. Around 14,000 litres of gas stored in the tank were completely consumed during the fire.
Preliminary Damage Assessment
The explosion caused partial damage to ten residential buildings and severely affected 20–25 tourist jeeps. Estimated losses may run into several crores of Bangladeshi Taka.
| Affected Area | Type of Damage | Approximate Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Residential buildings | Partial destruction | 10 houses |
| Tourist vehicles | Jeep cars | 20–25 units |
| Gas tank | Fully depleted | 14,000 litres |
Eyewitness Accounts
Local resident Tauhidul Islam said:
“The smell of gas was overwhelming, making it difficult to breathe. After the explosion, flames spread to nearby structures. Approximately 20,000 people live in the surrounding areas of Adarsha Gram, Chandrima Housing, and the Jailkhana neighbourhood.”
Hospital Response
Sabuktagin Mahmud Sohel, Resident Medical Officer at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, confirmed that six patients were being treated locally, while the seriously injured were referred to Dhaka and Chittagong for specialised care.
Security Measures
OC Shomi Uddin of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station said that law enforcement personnel were deployed to maintain order and advised residents to remain vigilant.
This explosion serves as a stark warning about the hazards of operating gas facilities without proper authorisation. Its consequences extend beyond the owner to threaten the safety of the entire surrounding community.