12 workers burnt at Sonargaon steel mill

At least 12 labourers sustained burn injuries when they came in contact with molten metal during an accident at a steel mill in Sonargaon of Narayanganj yesterday.

All the injured, four in a critical state, are undergoing treatment at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

The accident took place in the afternoon at CCM unit of Muntaha Steel Mills in Nanakhi area.

All the injured -- Rupok, Shakil, Sujan, Arif, Rana, Sajib, Gopal, Salahuddin, Kabir, Zafar, Manik and Masud -- are aged between 25 and 30.  

Quoting police at DMCH outpost, Inspector (Investigation) Selim Mia of Sonargaon Police Station said Rupok sustained 95 percent burns while Shakil 85 percent, and both Sujan and Arif 45 percent.

The inspector said they would take legal action against persons responsible for the incident.

Mohammad Minhaj, manager of the steel mill, told The Daily Star that an explosion caused by an electrical short circuit led to the labourers getting burnt from molten metal.

Bandar Fire Station Inspector Hasan-ul-Alam said after primary investigation, they suspect that the accident was triggered by an electrical short circuit.

They did not find any safety equipment at the factory, he also said.