According to official statements, a devastating explosion in a seven-story commercial building in the busy commercial area of Gulistan in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, resulted in at least 14 fatalities and injured numerous individuals. The building, which housed several stores selling plumbing products and household items, saw significant damage to its first two floors. The cause of the explosion remains unclear.
Fire department teams, at least 11, are actively working at the scene. Over 50 individuals were taken to the state-run Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment, with 14 confirmed dead, according to police official Bacchu Mia.
Bangladesh has a concerning history of industrial disasters and fires, often attributed to corruption and inadequate enforcement. Last Sunday, a massive fire at an overcrowded refugee camp for Rohingya Muslims left thousands homeless, but no casualties were reported.
Notably, the country has seen several major industrial disasters, including the 2012 tragedy where 117 workers died after being trapped behind locked exits in a garment factory and the 2013 Rana Plaza garment factory collapse that claimed over 1,100 lives. In addition, a fire in Old Dhaka in 2019 that destroyed a 400-year-old area with apartments, shops, and warehouses claimed 67 lives, while another fire in a house illegally storing chemicals in 2010 resulted in 123 fatalities. Several people were trapped in a 2021 fire at a food and beverage factory outside Dhaka because of an illegally locked door. Over 100 people were injured, and 41 people lost their lives in last year’s fire at a shipping container storage depot near Chittagong Seaport.
Investigations into the cause of the recent explosion are ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the extent of the damage and provide aid to those affected. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for improved safety measures and increased enforcement to prevent future industrial disasters in Bangladesh. The thoughts and condolences of the international community are with the families of those who lost their lives and the injured individuals as they recover from this tragedy.
