The Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq said that Bangladeshi authorities are investigating the Gulistan blast, which occurred on Tuesday, to assess whether the incident was an accident or an act of sabotage.
Faruq added that the authorities believe the incident to be an accident as law enforcement did not find any evidence to suggest the possibility of sabotage. Reports indicate the blast’s source was an AC unit or gas cylinder.
At least 15 dead, 108 injured in blast in #Dhaka. Bomb disposal squad on spot to find cause of blast. 11 fire engines deployed to rescue injured. Blast apparently on 3rd floor of 55-storey building full of shops and bank branches in crowded Gulistan area. #Bangladesh #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/h1wJIlUbbx
— Monideepa Banerjie (@Monideepa62) March 7, 2023
The Bangladeshi Fire Service and Civil Defence have set up a committee with five members to investigate the tragedy and present a report within five working days.
Death Toll Rises to 18
On Tuesday afternoon, an explosion occurred in a seven-storied building in Dhaka’s Gulistan area, killing at least 18, including two women. Seventeen were found dead at the site of the incident, while one died while receiving treatment after being critically injured during the blast.
At least 140 others were injured in the incident, of whom ten are in critical condition. Several injured people have been taken to the local hospitals and are being treated for fractures and head wounds. The number of fatalities and injuries will likely rise in the coming week as the rescue operations continue for the second day.
The extent of the damage and collapsed columns and beams are hindering rescue operations, raising concern that several people remain stuck under the rubble and in the building’s basement. Fire authorities said they could not access the building’s basement due to the “risky” state.
The aftermath of a horrific blast in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Eighteen people were killed, and more than 100 were wounded. pic.twitter.com/QIdnB0wpLU
— Habib Khan (@HabibKhanT) March 7, 2023
The building was a commercial complex with sanitary hardware stores and private offices. The blast occurred on the ground floor and damaged the floors above, turning the building into rubble.
Eleven units from the fire department comprising 200 firefighters conducted rescue operations at the site of the incident. The Bangladeshi Army and the Rapid Action Battalion also deployed their bomb disposal team to investigate the explosion.
Government Offers Compensation
The Daily Star reported that PM Sheikh Hasina had ordered authorities to provide 50,000 Bangladeshi Taka ($470) to families of the deceased. Meanwhile, those wounded in the incident will be given 25,000 Bangladeshi Taka ($226). Following the incident, she extended her condolences and demanded an expedited response to rescue and treat those injured.
After visiting the injured in the hospital Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruk told media that investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident.
— Prasar Bharati News Services & Digital Platform (@PBNS_India) March 7, 2023
Hasina is currently in Doha to attend the UN Conference on Least Developed Countries.