Expatriate dies after setting himself on fire, 4 family members injured

An expatriate in Saudi Arabia, Imon, who set himself on fire after pouring petrol over his body in Sutrapur of Old Dhaka over a family dispute, has died. The 26-year-old suffered burns on 90 percent of his body.

He died while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery around 12pm on Sunday, said Sultan Mahmud, resident surgeon at the institute.

On Saturday afternoon, Imon set himself on fire at his home in the Shyambazar Chamartuli area of Sutrapur. Four other members of his family were burnt in the fire at that time. They are currently undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.

The burnt are Imon's father Siddique Bepari, cousin Rajib, cousin Arifur Rahman Dholu and cousin Tania Akter.

According to relatives, Imon returned home from Saudi Arabia on Friday due to a family dispute. He set himself on fire the next day.

Sonia Akter, wife of burnt Arifur Rahman Dholu, said the house is their ancestral property. On Friday, there was an altercation between Imon's sister Sultana and Tania over stagnant dirty water in front of the house. When the matter was conveyed to Imon in Saudi Arabia, he returned home on Friday.

Sonia claimed that on Saturday afternoon, Imon threatened to kill the family members. He then poured petrol over himself and others and set them on fire.

Later, five people were rescued in burnt condition and taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Doctors said Tania, currently undergoing treatment, has 60 percent burns, Siddique 35 percent, Rajib 15 percent and Arifur Rahman 8 percent.

Among the burnt, Rajib works as a mechanic at a hospital. Arifur Rahman is an electrician by profession. Tania is an undergraduate student at a women's college in Old Dhaka.