Dhaka: Two of the three family members who suffered burn injuries in a gas explosion at a house in the capital's Vatara area on July 21 have died within six hours of each other while undergoing treatment. The deceased have been identified as Md Shaheen, 24, and his niece Hafsa, 8.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Hafsa and Shaheen passed away at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Hafsa succumbed to her injuries around midnight, while Shaheen died at approximately 6:00 am on Friday, as confirmed by Dr. Shawon Bin Rahman, a resident surgeon at the institute. Shaheen endured burns on 50 percent of his body, whereas Hafsa sustained burns covering 40 percent.
Shaheen's wife, Fahima Akter, 21, remains in critical condition with 45 percent burns and is receiving treatment in the ICU. The explosion, caused by a gas line leak, occurred in the early hours of July 21 at a house located on the 100-Foot Road in the Notun Bazar area, under Vatara Police Station, leaving the family severely injured. They were promptly transported to the burn institute for medical attention.
Shaheen's brother-in-law, Jasim, shared that Shaheen worked at a shop and resided with his family on the ground floor of a six-storey building in the area. He recounted that the family was asleep when the sudden explosion, caused by the gas leak, ignited a fire within the house.