3 of a family injured after explosion near home in Barishal

Three members of a family, including two women, were seriously injured in an explosion outside their house in Bakerganj upazila of Barishal this morning.

Sub-inspector Habibur Rahman, who was at the scene, said police could not immediately determine how the explosion had occurred.

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The incident took place around 6:30am in Dudhal Mou village under Bhorpasha union. The injured are Hanufa Begum, 55, her daughter Iti, 19, and Hanufa's grandson Fahim, 14.

According to relatives, Hanufa and Iti were taking Fahim to his coaching class as he had been feeling unwell and was having difficulty walking.

Jamal Hawlader, a family member, said there were several sandbags in front of the house.

"As they stumbled near the sand bags, an explosion occurred from a bag that had apparently been left there earlier," he added.

Locals said they rushed to the spot after hearing a loud explosion and found smoke and flames. They also saw the victims' clothes on fire. To escape the flames, the injured jumped into the nearby Tetulia River before being rescued.

The three were taken to Bakerganj Upazila Health Complex, where they received primary treatment before being transferred to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal.

Jamal said they had sustained severe burn injuries in the blast.

Later, doctors referred them to Dhaka for advanced treatment, and they were shifted by ambulance.

"According to the medical reports, they suffered burn injuries to their faces, chests and hands. It is still too early to determine the exact percentage of burns," Linkon Dutta, a nurse in the surgery department of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, said.

Assistant registrar of the surgery unit, Dr Alamgir Hossain said the injuries appeared to be heat burns.

"The boy has suffered around 15 percent burn injuries, while the other two have less extensive burns. These are not major burn injuries. However, we cannot yet confirm whether the burns were caused by chemicals or another source. At this stage, they appear to be heat burns," he said.

Barishal Superintendent of Police AZM Mustafizur Rahman said the bomb disposal unit had not yet reached the scene, but was expected to arrive around 9:00pm.

"We cannot determine the nature of the explosion until the bomb disposal experts inspect the site and collect evidence," he said.

Police cordoned off the area after the incident.

Officer-in-Charge Adil Hossain of Bakerganj Police Station said the incident was being investigated with the utmost importance.

"The type of explosive used and those responsible will be confirmed after the investigation is completed," he said.