Gas blast during evening prayers at Bangladesh mosque kills 16, burns dozens
- A gas leak near the Baitus Salat Jame Mosque in the central district of Narayanganj is believed to have caused the explosion
- More than 30 people were taken to hospital in critical condition, most with 70 to 80 per cent burns, police said
The explosion, which fire service officials suspect was caused by leakage from the pipeline, occurred on Friday night as Muslim worshippers were about to end their evening prayers at Baitus Salat Jame Masjid in Narayanganj district, nearly 25 kilometres south of the capital Dhaka.
Investigators suspected a spark from an air conditioner – which came on after a power cut – set off the gas.
“Primarily, we are suspecting that gas accumulated from a line beneath the mosque might have caused the explosion,” said Narayanganj fire chief Abdullah Al Arefin. “Leaked gas entered the mosque. When they shut the windows and doors and switched on the air conditioners there was an electricity spark that led to the explosion inside the mosque.”
Six air conditioners inside the mosque also exploded, he said adding that an investigation was launched to determine the reason behind the accident.
Dozens were rushed to Dhaka’s state-run specialised burn and plastic-surgery hospital, most of them with severe burns.