At least three members of a family sustained severe burn injuries following the sudden explosion of a bomb-like object in the Bakerganj sub-district of Barishal district early on Monday morning.
The incident took place at around 6:00 am at the residential homestead of local resident Shah Alam Howlader, located in Dudhalmow village within the Bharpasha Union of Bakerganj Upazila.
Details of the Incident and Immediate Response
The victims have been identified as Hanufa Begum, wife of Shah Alam Howlader, their daughter Iti, and their young grandson Fahim. According to eyewitnesses and local residents, a deafening blast shattered the early morning calm, causing immediate widespread panic across the village.
Describing the harrowing event, Jamal, the son of Shah Alam Howlader, recounted that an unidentified explosive device hidden inside a sandbag adjacent to their dwelling suddenly detonated. The force of the blast instantly ignited the clothing of his mother, sister, and nephew, causing serious thermal burns. In a desperate attempt to douse the flames engulfing their bodies, the panic-stricken victims ran to the nearby Tulatala River situated directly in front of their home and jumped into the water. Despite their immediate actions, their clothes were completely consumed by the fire, resulting in extensive burn injuries.
Surrounding villagers rushed to the spot after hearing the commotion, gathered around the homestead, and promptly assisted in rescuing the injured family members.
Medical Evacuation and Emergency Care
Following the rescue effort, the casualties were immediately transported to the Bakerganj Upazila Health Complex for urgent medical attention. Attending medical staff administered primary aid to stabilise the casualties; however, given the severity and extent of their burn wounds, healthcare providers referred all three individuals to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) in Barishal city for advanced specialized treatment.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Enquiries
Law enforcement personnel swiftly arrived at the scene to secure the area, restore order among the anxious local population, and initiate a comprehensive preliminary investigation into the origin of the explosion. Crime scene specialists and police officers have collected vital physical evidence and forensic samples from the blast site to determine the nature of the explosive material.
The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bakerganj Police Station, Adil Hossain, confirmed that law enforcement agencies are treating the incident with utmost seriousness. He stated that police have opened a formal investigation to ascertain the exact chemical composition of the explosive substance used and to identify the perpetrators responsible for placing or storing the dangerous object on the premises.
The family members have maintained that they have no prior knowledge regarding the origin of the explosive device or how it came to be concealed in a sandbag next to their home.
The sudden and unexpected explosion has sent shockwaves through the quiet rural community, giving rise to heightened tension and concern among local residents. Police patrols have been reinforced in the vicinity as law enforcement agencies continue their investigative operations to uncover the motives and circumstances surrounding the detonation.
