Growing Danger of Cylinder Explosions: 21 Dead and Over 100 Injured in Seven Months

Khabor Wala Desk

Published: 7th August 2025, 12:35 PM

Growing Danger of Cylinder Explosions: 21 Dead and Over 100 Injured in Seven Months

Photo: Collected

The widespread use of gas cylinders in homes, shops, and vehicles—coupled with a spate of frequent explosions—has reached an alarming level across Bangladesh. From January to July 2025, at least 21 people lost their lives and over 100 sustained injuries in 35 documented cylinder explosions, as reported by national media outlets.

Causes Identified by Experts

Experts have identified several critical issues contributing to these tragic incidents:

Contributing Factor	Description
Expired Cylinders	Many cylinders in use have exceeded their safe usage period.
Unchecked Gas Leaks	Lack of proper leak detection and preventive maintenance.
Weak Connections	Faulty fittings and joints make cylinders more susceptible to leaks.
Low-Quality Regulators and Pipes	Substandard components are widely used, increasing risk.

From Controlled Sales to Widespread Misuse

Gas cylinder sales were once confined to licensed dealers and authorised distributors. However, in recent years, this market has expanded uncontrollably:

Now sold in grocery stores, village shops, and alleyways of cities and towns.
Majority of sellers lack proper licensing, training, or any form of safety protocol.
Lack of administrative oversight has exacerbated the risks.

“Without intervention, each cylinder is becoming a ticking time bomb,” experts warn.

Notable Recent Incidents

A few of the more devastating incidents in the past seven months include:

Date	Location	Incident Summary
25 April	Joydebpur, Gazipur	Kitchen gas leak explosion burned 9 family members, 5 died in hospital.
23 May	Aftabnagar, Old Dhaka	During festivities, 10 injured in two separate explosions.
(Undated)	Ashulia, Savar	Cylinder explosion injured 7 from one family, multiple fatalities reported.

These are not isolated events, but grave warnings for entire communities, signalling deep-rooted systemic neglect.

Increasing Use in Vehicles

Cylinder use is no longer limited to residential or commercial premises. There is a rising trend in using gas cylinders in vehicles, especially autorickshaws, across the country.

Concerns:

No verifiable record of inspection dates.
Unknown or questionable quality of cylinders.
Routine inspections are absent, leading to a proliferation of unsafe cylinders now considered potentially deadly.

Expert Recommendations

Experts strongly advocate for immediate and decisive measures to avert further tragedies:

Recommendation	Purpose
Identify and remove expired cylinders	Eliminate high-risk units from circulation
Enforce strict action against unlicensed sellers and distributors	Curb illegal and unsafe supply chains
Mandate high-quality regulators, pipes, and connectors	Ensure reliable safety infrastructure
Launch mass public awareness campaigns	Educate users on handling and recognising risks
Implement routine inspections by Explosives Department and authorities	Monitor and control market and operational safety

Experts argue that unless the government and administrative bodies act in a coordinated and urgent manner, the crisis will escalate further.

“Without institutional intervention, every cylinder becomes a silent danger within our homes,” they warned.

Only through strict enforcement, public awareness, and systematic inspections can the nation hope to mitigate the increasing death toll from these preventable disasters.