Two Workers Die After Chattogram Salt Factory Explosion

Two workers have died after suffering severe burns in an explosion and fire at a salt processing factory in Boalkhali Upazila of Chattogram, while nine others remain in hospital receiving treatment for burn injuries.

The victims succumbed to their injuries on Thursday night, 16 July, while undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Burn Unit of Chattogram Medical College Hospital. The deaths were confirmed on Friday by Sub-Inspector Alauddin Majumder, who is on duty at the hospital’s police outpost.

The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Alam, a resident of the Hulaine area in Patiya, and Didarul Alam from Boalkhali. Both sustained extensive burn injuries in the incident and were among those admitted in critical condition shortly after the explosion.

According to hospital authorities, the accident occurred at around 12:00 noon on Thursday at Confidence Salt Limited, located in the West Gomdandi area of Ward No. 8 under Boalkhali Municipality. Following the blast and subsequent fire, eleven workers who sustained burn injuries were taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Five of them were admitted to the ICU, while four others were placed in the Burn Unit. Two workers, who suffered comparatively minor injuries, received primary treatment before returning home.

The injured workers include Didarul Alam (32), Mohammad Zahid Hossain (38), Noor Nabi (25), Ujjal Das (53), Mohammad Liton (28), Sirajul Islam (34), Zahidul Alam (42), Mohammad Alam (45), Mahamudul Haque (45), Selim Uddin (30), and Ahsanul Haque (45). The deceased workers were among those who had sustained the most serious burns.

Doctors treating the victims reported that Didarul Alam suffered burns covering approximately 95 per cent of his body, while Mohammad Alam sustained burns over around 65 per cent of his body. Mahamudul Haque suffered burns to 60 per cent of his body, Ujjal Das 50 per cent, Noor Nabi 45 per cent, Mohammad Liton 40 per cent, Zahidul Alam 35 per cent, Selim Uddin 20 per cent, and both Mohammad Zahid Hossain and Sirajul Islam around 10 per cent. Medical staff continue to monitor the remaining patients, several of whom remain in critical condition.

Police have provided a preliminary account of what may have triggered the incident. Officer-in-Charge Mozaffar Hossain of Boalkhali Police Station said the factory’s large generator had reportedly malfunctioned, along with several production machines that required repair. To carry out the maintenance work, technicians brought in five welding machines.

According to the officer, welding equipment requires a substantial electricity supply. During the repair work, fluctuations in voltage allegedly occurred, leading to a fire inside the factory. The blaze was followed by explosions involving two air-conditioning units, resulting in severe burn injuries to workers who were present nearby.

Police have begun an initial inquiry into the incident. The officer added that law enforcement personnel visited the homes of several injured workers but found that family members had already travelled to the hospital. He said legal proceedings would be initiated if victims’ families or other parties submitted formal complaints.

Officials from the local Fire Service said they received reports of the fire but were informed while en route that the flames had already been extinguished and the injured workers had been transported to hospital. As a result, firefighters did not carry out a full emergency response at the factory and have not released additional findings regarding the incident.

Attempts were made to obtain a statement from Borhan Uddin, Assistant General Manager of Confidence Salt Industries Limited, but repeated telephone calls reportedly went unanswered.

Industrial accidents involving explosions and fires remain a serious occupational safety concern in Bangladesh. Such incidents often raise questions about workplace maintenance, electrical safety procedures, and compliance with industrial safety standards. Authorities are expected to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion to determine its exact cause and whether any negligence or safety violations contributed to the tragedy.