A gas pipeline explosion which occurred near a mosque in Bangladesh has killed 13 people and injured 30 as worshippers were about to end their prayers.
The explosion suspected to be caused by leakage from the pipeline, occurred on Friday night at a mosque in Narayanganj district, just outside the capital, Dhaka.
Dozens were rushed to Dhaka’s state-run specialised burn and plastic-surgery hospital, most of them with severe burns.
Samanta Lal Sen, coordinator of the burns unit said, “Thirteen people, including a seven-year-old child, died after they sustained burns.”
“The death toll could rise further as many of them were in a critical condition,” he said.
Fire officials said gas that accumulated in the mosque after pipeline leaks likely triggered the blasts.
Abdullah Al Arefin, a senior fire service official said, “We primarily suspect that gas leaked from the pipeline and accumulated inside the mosque since the windows were shut. When the air conditioners was turned on, due to sparks the gas could have exploded,”
” All six air conditioners in the mosque exploded during the incident.” he said.
