Gazipur boiler blast death toll rises to 8, over 35 hurt

At least eight people were killed and over 35 others injured in a boiler explosion at a garment factory in Joydebpur upazila of Gazipur this evening.

Identities of the deceased could not be ascertained immediately. 

A boiler of Multifabs Ltd in Nayapara area blasted around 7:30pm with a big bang, leaving at eight people dead and over 35 others injured, Aktaruzzaman, assistant director of Gazipur fire service and civil defence, told The Daily Star this evening.

The ground and first floors of the four-story building partially collapsed due to the impact of the blast, Ataur Rahman, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters, told The Daily Star.

Death toll may rise as rescue operation was going till filing the report around 10:00pm, said Inspector Harun-or-Rashid of Chakrabarty Police Outpost.

Photo taken from the factory website

The injured were taken to local hospitals, he added.

An official of the office of Chief Inspector of Boilers, a government agency under the Industries Ministry, said the boiler exploded due to operational error.

Meanwhile, a victim called Soleman, 30, was brought dead around 10:00pm, Bacchu Mia, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) camp in-charge, said adding that the victim had head injuries.

Another injured victim of the blast was admitted to the hospital at the same time, he added.