Two die from burns after Bhatara gas explosion, another remains critical

The death toll from the gas leak explosion in Dhaka's Bhatara has risen to two, after two members of the same family succumbed to severe burn injuries while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.

The deceased are Anwar Hossain Shahin, 25, and his eight-year-old niece, Hafsa. Hafsa died late Thursday night, while Shahin passed away on Friday morning, hospital authorities confirmed.

Dr Shawon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon at the National Burn Institute, said Hafsa had sustained 40 percent burns, while Shahin suffered 50 percent burns. Shahin's wife, Fahima Akter, who sustained 45 percent burns, remains in the institute's intensive care unit (ICU) in critical condition.

The explosion occurred in the early hours of Tuesday (July 21) at a rented ground-floor apartment in the Notun Bazar 100-Feet Road area under Bhatara Police Station.

According to preliminary findings, the blast was triggered by a gas leak, leaving three members of the family critically injured.

The victims were rescued immediately after the incident and admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, where two later succumbed to their injuries.

Family members said the victims are from Debidwar upazila of Cumilla. Shahin, the youngest among five brothers, worked at a clothing shop in Dhaka and had married only six months ago. His niece Hafsa had been visiting the family when the explosion occurred.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the gas leak and explosion.