Ctg salt factory fire leaves two dead, six in critical condition
Earlier in the day, the fire broke out at the Confidence Salt factory in the West Gomdandi area of Boalkhali municipality last morning when welding work was underway in the generator room.
Highlights:
- Two workers die while undergoing treatment at CMCH
- Six others remain hospitalised, most in critical condition
- Doctors say all injured suffered severe airway burns
- Fire broke out during welding work in the generator room
- Factory had been closed for production and undergoing maintenance
Two workers injured in a fire at a salt factory in Chattogram's Boalkhali upazila have died while undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), with six others still in critical condition.
The deceased were identified as Mohammad Nurul Alam, 45, of Patiya upazila, and Didarul Alam, 32, of Boalkhali upazila.
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CMCH police outpost In-Charge SI Mohammad Alauddin Talukder told The Business Standard that Nurul died in the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) at around 9pm on Thursday (16 July), while Didarul succumbed to his injuries about an hour later.
Hospital sources said Didarul had suffered burns to around 95% of his body along with severe airway injuries, while Nurul sustained burns to approximately 65% of his body and critical respiratory tract damage.
CMCH Director Brig Gen Mohammad Taslim Uddin said eight injured workers had initially been admitted to the hospital, including five to the ICU. "Two later died, while six others remain in the hospital's burn unit in critical condition."
"One patient was transferred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka at the request of the family. None of the remaining six patients can be considered out of danger," he said.
"The airways of all the injured have been severely damaged. Such injuries significantly increase the risk of life-threatening complications, so they are being kept under intensive observation and provided with the highest level of medical care," he added.
Earlier in the day, the fire broke out at the Confidence Salt factory in the West Gomdandi area of Boalkhali municipality last morning when welding work was under way in the generator room, apparently following a short circuit during generator replacement work.
Confidence Salt Limited General Manager Md Shamsuddin said production at the factory had remained suspended for the past week due to a shortage of raw materials, while maintenance work was being carried out on various equipment. "Most of the injured were not permanent employees but were working under a contractor responsible for the welding work."
