At least 16 people were injured, several critically, after a massive explosion at an unauthorized LPG filling station in the Kalatali tourist district on Wednesday night.
The blast occurred at approximately 10:20 PM at the "N Alam" filling station. Fire officials confirmed the facility was operating without legal permits and cited a gas leak as the primary cause.
According to witnesses, the smell of leaking gas became noticeable around 7:00 PM. Despite the growing panic among residents, no emergency measures were taken. Three hours later, a 14,000-liter gas tank detonated, sending a fireball into the surrounding neighborhood.
Units from the Army, Air Force, Fire Service, and Red Crescent battled the blaze for five hours, finally bringing it under control by 3:00 AM Thursday.
10 victims have been transferred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital and Dhaka for specialized burn care due to their critical condition. 6 victims remain under observation at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.
Property damage is estimated in the millions of taka. The fire razed 10 homes in the Adarshgram and Chandrima Housing areas and destroyed nearly 25 tourist jeeps parked nearby.
Syed Muhammad Morshed, Deputy Assistant Director of Cox's Bazar Fire Service, stated that the station lacked any safety or operating licenses. "The explosion was an avoidable disaster triggered by negligence," he said.
Police have been deployed to maintain order as local anger mounts against the station’s owner. Authorities confirmed that legal proceedings are being initiated for the unauthorized and dangerous operation of the facility.
