LAKSHMIPUR, Dec 11: A man has been killed after the gas cylinder of a bus exploded while it was refuelling at a filling station in Lakshmipur.
Three others were injured in the incident that occurred at the Green Leaf CNG Filling Station in the municipal town's Muktiganj area around 4am on Wednesday, according to Dr Zainal Abedin of Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital's emergency department.
The dead man, Abul Kalam, was a painter by profession and a resident of Sahapur in Lakshmipur.
Two of the injured have been identified by single names as Naim and Abul Hossain, while the third person's identity has yet to be confirmed.
The bus, operated by Al Madina Paribahan on the Lakshmipur-Ramgati route, had undergone painting work in the town's Jhumur area, according to the Fire Service. Afterwards, Abul Kalam accompanied the bus to the filling station for refuelling when the cylinder suddenly exploded.
The explosion caused panic as people scurried in all directions for cover. A unit from Lakshmipur Fire Service subsequently rushed to the scene, rescuing the injured and transporting them to the Sadar Hospital for treatment.
Local residents said the filling station was relatively empty when the incident occurred. They believe the casualty count could have been much higher if the station had been busier.
Dr Zainal said Kalam was dead by the time he was brought to the hospital, while the three injured arrived in critical condition. They were subsequently transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for further treatment. —bdnews24.com
