Meherpur's Alal killed in Russia explosion

Alal Hossain Raju, a resident of Gangni upazila in Meherpur, has been killed in a massive explosion at a gas chemical complex in Russia's Amur region, his family has confirmed. The news of his death has plunged his home in Hogalbaria Mathpara village into mourning.

Alal Hossain Raju was the son of Kheru Mandal of Hogalbaria Mathpara village in Motmura union of Gangni upazila. Family members said he had gone to Russia for work about 13 months ago, leaving behind his pregnant wife. Only 15 days after he left for Russia, his wife gave birth to a son. Alal could not hold his newborn child while abroad. He was scheduled to return home next month to see his child. But he will not return alive—only in a coffin.

According to family sources, a massive gas explosion occurred at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex in Russia's Amur region on Tuesday (August 25). At least 15 people were reported killed in the incident. One Bangladeshi worker, Zakir Hossain, was killed and seven others injured, with one more missing.

According to the Bangladesh Embassy in Moscow, the Amur Gas Chemical Complex is operated under China's Sinopec Engineering Group. Several bodies were so badly burned that identification was not possible. It was believed that missing Alal Hossain could be among them.

The embassy also said seven injured Bangladeshi workers were being transferred from Amur to a specialised hospital in Moscow for advanced treatment, with six of them currently in intensive care. The Bangladesh Embassy would oversee their medical care after their arrival in Moscow.

However, Alal's family claimed they learned of his death after contacting the Bangladesh Embassy in Dhaka. A Chinese official at Alal's workplace also informed the family that Alal had died in the explosion and that the Russian army had taken his body.

Alal's brother Jalal Uddin said, "We went to Dhaka and contacted the embassy to learn that my brother is no more. He also died in this accident. We were told this by a Chinese citizen who was my brother's supervisor. They said Alal died in the accident and the army has taken his body. They said we would be officially informed through the embassy after legal procedures."

Alal's cousin Mohir Uddin said Alal had gone to work at Sinopec's gas field in Russia about 13 months ago. They have confirmed he died in the explosion. His body would be brought to Bangladesh and handed over to the family after legal formalities.

He said, "The biggest pain is that Alal's wife was pregnant when he went abroad. Fifteen days after he left, a son was born. He was supposed to return home next month to see that child. He will return to the country, but not alive—only in a coffin."