12 fishermen burnt as gas cylinder explodes on trawler in Cox's Bazar

At least 12 fishermen have sustained serious burn injuries after a gas cylinder explosion on a trawler anchored at No. 6 Ghat in Nunyarchara city of Cox's Bazar today.

"The incident took place at around 8:30am on Friday (1 September). 10 out of 12 burnt fishermen have been sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital in critical condition. 2 others have been admitted to Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital," Cox's Bazar Sadar police station Officer-In-Charge Rafiqul Islam told The Business Standard.

Nine of the fishermen had their airways burnt in the incident, doctors said.

The police could not confirm the cause of the cylinder explosion initially.

Ashiqur Rahman, resident medical Officer (RMO) at Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, said, "Victims sustained 70% burns. As their condition is critical, they have been sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Two people with 30% burns are being treated at the sadar hospital."

Muhammad Kamal, the sub-sailor of the trawler FV Laki, said that after fishing in the sea for nine days, the trawler returned and anchored at ghat 6 of the city on Thursday afternoon.

"Most sailors went their way after that. However, some of the sailors were sleeping on the trawler this morning. I and two other trawlers were working on the front part of the trawler and a couple of fishermen were making tea on a gas stove. All of a sudden, there was a loud noise and everyone started to panic," he added.

He also said there were 18 people on the boat at the time of the incident, 12 of whom were burned.