Cox’s Bazar LPG Explosion Injures Ten Seriously

A catastrophic explosion at an LPG gas station in Cox’s Bazar’s Kalatoli area left at least 16 people injured, with ten in critical condition. The incident occurred on Wednesday night, 25 February, around 9:00 pm, at the Chandrima Housing locality, adjacent to Adarsha Gram.

Of the injured, three have been transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment, while seven are receiving specialised care at Chattogram Medical College Hospital. The remaining six victims are under treatment at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

The station, operating under the name Cox’s Bazar Filling Station, was not officially inaugurated at the time of the blast. It is owned by a local businessman, Nurul Alam, and was scheduled to be officially opened in the coming days. Reports indicate that the station was set up without the necessary approvals from the fire service or civil authorities.

According to Syed Muhammad Morshed Hossain, Deputy Director of the Cox’s Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defence, the station was being installed in a densely populated residential area. He confirmed that a gas leakage triggered the explosion. Authorities have announced that legal action will be taken against the owner for operating without permission.

Immediate firefighting efforts involved ten units, including the local fire service, as well as personnel from the Army, Air Force, and Navy. The fire was brought under control by 1:00 am after nearly four hours, once the gas stored in the 14,000-litre tank was completely exhausted.

The explosion caused substantial property damage, affecting at least ten residential buildings and 20–25 tourist vehicles. Preliminary estimates suggest losses could exceed several crore Bangladeshi taka.

Local resident Tauhidul Islam described the scene: “The smell of gas was so strong that breathing became difficult. After the explosion, flames engulfed several parts of the station and spread to neighbouring structures. About 20,000 people live in the surrounding Adarsha Gram, Chandrima Housing, and Jailkhana areas.”

Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital’s residential medical officer, Sabuktagin Mahmud Sohel, stated, “Six patients are being treated at our facility. The critically injured have been referred to hospitals in Dhaka and Chattogram.”

Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Shami Uddin, said, “Law enforcement personnel have been deployed to maintain public safety, and residents have been urged to exercise caution.”

Key Details of the Incident