Gas explosion at Sonargaon Power Plant leaves 12 injured

A devastating gas explosion occurred in the canteen of the JERA Meghnaghat Power Plant in Sonargaon, Narayanganj, on May 13 around 1 p.m., leaving at least 12 people severely burned. The injured, including power plant officials and canteen staff, were immediately rushed to the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka, where several are reported to be in critical condition.

According to police, hospital sources, and power plant officials, the explosion took place during lunchtime when the staff was collecting food from the canteen buffet. A sudden, loud blast inside the kitchen quickly ignited a fire, causing heavy burns to many present. Initial investigations suggest the explosion resulted from a gas leak in the kitchen’s cooking gas line.

Golam Sarwar, Officer-in-Charge of Sonargaon Police Station, mentioned that preliminary findings indicate that accumulated gas inside the kitchen led to the explosion. The injured victims are all employees of the power plant.

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Fakhrul Islam, the power plant’s safety officer, explained that the explosion might have occurred when someone lit a match near a gas stove left inadvertently switched on after cooking. The victims were promptly transported to Dhaka for urgent medical care.

Among those burned are Nazmul Sheikh (40), Saiful Islam (30), Ramizul (45), Monir Hossain (45), Tuhin Sheikh (30), Osman Gani (30), Supravat Ghosh (42), Badrul Haider (50), Al-Amin (45), Kausar (30), Shankar (25), and Md. Amir (25). Four are canteen workers, while the rest are power plant staff.

Dr. Shawn Bin Rahman, Resident Surgeon at the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, stated that the victims arrived around 2 p.m., with several admitted for treatment and others kept under observation in the emergency department. Many sustained severe burns on their hands, faces, and legs.

Hospital reports revealed that Md. Amir suffered burns on approximately 80% of his body, Kausar 59%, Shankar 46%, Al-Amin 22%, Nazmul Sheikh 13%, and Supravat Ghosh 12%. Others sustained burns ranging from 2% to 5%.

The explosion caused panic within the power plant area. Authorities are investigating the causes, focusing on the gas line, kitchen safety, and canteen operation protocols to prevent future incidents.