Death toll rises to 27 in Narayanganj mosque explosion

Highlights:

• Gas leakage triggered a blast inside a mosque in Narayangaj's Fatullah
• Around 150 people were performing Isha prayer when the blast took place
• Some 12 more people are in critical condition 
• PM has asked to ensure best treatment to victims
• Titas MD warns of strict action if Titas negligence found

The death toll from Narayanganj mosque explosion has risen to 27 as one more victim succumbed to his injuries at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery on Monday noon.

The deceased are- mosque's imam Abdul Malek (60), muazzin Md Delwar Hossain (45), Mostafa Kamal (34), Rifat (18), Rashed (30), Zobayer (18), Jainal (38), Sabbir (21), Kuddus Bapari (72), Humayan Kabir (72), Ibrahim (43), Jonayed (16), Jamal (40), Jewel (7), Mainuddin (12), Rasel (34), Nayan (27), Bahar Uddin (55), Kanchan Hawlader (50), Mizan (34), Nadim (45), Shamim Hasan (45), Julhas Uddin (30), Abul Basar Molla (51) and Manir Forazi (30).

A gas leakage triggered the explosion and six air conditioners exploded ripping through the mosque during Isha prayer in Narayanganj's Fatullah on Friday night.

Some 40 people suffered burn injuries as all the air conditioners of the mosque exploded during Esha prayers in Fatullah, Narayanganj on Friday night. One of the injured died at night.

Probe body formed to investigate the explosion  

Narayanganj district administration has formed a 5-member committee to investigate the explosion, said District Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Zayedul Alam while visiting the victims at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery today.

The committee is comprised of additional district magistrate, additional superintendent of police (Crime), officials from Titas Gas, Power Department and fire service. 

What we know so far about the tragic incident

Around 150 people were attending the prayer when the incident took place. The explosion, triggered by a gas leak, ripped through the mosque at once bewildering the pilgrims whether the doomsday was there. All six ACs exploded at the same time and glasses of the windows were shattered in the blast. 

Mosque committee president Gafur Mia said, "After hearing the sound of the huge explosion, I along with some local people rushed to the mosque. We saw smoke was belching out of the mosque and many people are burnt severely. Some of them were screaming and rolling on the road in front of the mosque." 

"We took 40 injured people to Narayanganj hospital. Later doctors there sent the critical patients to Dhaka," he added.