Sixteen Injured in Cox’s Bazar Blast

At least sixteen people sustained burn injuries following a devastating explosion at a liquefied petroleum gas facility in the Kalatali area of Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday evening. The blast occurred at approximately 9.00 pm at Cox’s Bazar Filling Station, situated near the Chandrima residential neighbourhood of Adarsha Gram, sending shockwaves through the densely populated locality.

Eyewitnesses reported a strong smell of gas lingering in the air shortly before the explosion. Moments later, a deafening detonation was followed by towering flames that spread rapidly to adjacent homes and vehicles. Residents fled their houses in panic as the blaze intensified. With an estimated population of nearly twenty thousand people living in the vicinity, fears of a far greater casualty toll quickly emerged.

Medical authorities confirmed that ten of the injured remain in critical condition. Three severely burned victims have been transferred to the capital for specialised treatment, while seven others were moved to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. The remaining patients are receiving care at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, where several are under close observation due to extensive burn injuries affecting large portions of their bodies.

Officials from the Fire Service and Civil Defence stated that the facility had been preparing to commence operations prior to its formal inauguration. Allegations have surfaced that construction proceeded without obtaining the necessary fire safety clearance. Preliminary investigations suggest that a leakage from a gas pipeline or storage tank may have triggered the explosion. The storage tank, with a capacity of approximately fourteen thousand litres, was reportedly emptied before the fire was brought under control at around 1.00 am.

Ten fire service units worked for nearly four hours to extinguish the flames, assisted by members of the army, navy and air force. Their coordinated response prevented the inferno from spreading further across the residential zone.

Beyond the human toll, the financial damage is considerable. At least ten houses were partially or severely damaged. Between twenty and twenty five tourist jeeps parked nearby were burned or left mangled by the heat. Initial estimates suggest losses amounting to several crore taka, although a comprehensive assessment has yet to be finalised.

Incident Overview

Law enforcement agencies have deployed additional personnel to maintain order in the area. Authorities are preparing legal action against the facility’s owner on allegations of regulatory violations and breaches of safety standards. Experts have renewed calls for stricter oversight of combustible material storage within residential districts, warning that regulatory complacency could invite even more catastrophic consequences in the future.