12 burnt in gas explosion at power plant canteen in Sonargaon

At least 12 people suffered burn injuries in a gas explosion at the canteen of the Jera Meghna Ghat Power Plant at Sonargaon in Narayanganj.

The explosion occured around 1:00pm while employees were preparing to have lunch at the canteen on Wednesday afternoon (may 13).

The injured include power plant officials and canteen workers identified as Nazmul Sheikh, Saiful Islam, Ramizul, Tuhin Sheikh, Monir Hossain, Osman Gani, Suprabhat Ghosh, Badrul Haider, Amir, Shankar, Kawshar and Al-Amin.

All the injured were rushed to National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery for treatment, , officials said.

Power plant safety officer Fakhrul Islam said the blast originated inside the kitchen area of the canteen.

According to preliminary findings, a gas burner may have been left switched on after cooking was completed. The explosion reportedly occurred when a match was lit inside the kitchen, triggering a fire.

Resident surgeon Shawon Bin Rahman said all 12 victims were admitted to the burn institute and their conditions were being assessed.

Authorities said further investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the explosion.