12 fishermen burnt as gas cylinder explodes on trawler in Cox's Bazar
At least 12 fishermen have sustained serious burn injuries after a gas cylinder explosion on a trawler anchored at No. 6 Ghat in Nunyarchara city of Cox's Bazar today.
"The incident took place at around 8:30am on Friday (1 September). 10 out of 12 burnt fishermen have been sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital in critical condition. 2 others have been admitted to Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital," Cox's Bazar Sadar police station Officer-In-Charge Rafiqul Islam told The Business Standard.
Nine of the fishermen had their airways burnt in the incident, doctors said.
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The police could not confirm the cause of the cylinder explosion initially.
Ashiqur Rahman, resident medical Officer (RMO) at Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, said, "Victims sustained 70% burns. As their condition is critical, they have been sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Two people with 30% burns are being treated at the sadar hospital."
Muhammad Kamal, the sub-sailor of the trawler FV Laki, said that after fishing in the sea for nine days, the trawler returned and anchored at ghat 6 of the city on Thursday afternoon.
"Most sailors went their way after that. However, some of the sailors were sleeping on the trawler this morning. I and two other trawlers were working on the front part of the trawler and a couple of fishermen were making tea on a gas stove. All of a sudden, there was a loud noise and everyone started to panic," he added.
He also said there were 18 people on the boat at the time of the incident, 12 of whom were burned.
