Rohingya child dies in Bhasan Char island fire that burnt nine refugees

The fire started after a man opened a gas cylinder before returning it for a refill, police said

One of the five children, who were among nine injured in a gas cylinder fire at Bhasan Char island Rohingya refugee camp, has died in Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

Dr Rafiquddin Ahmed, head of the hospital’s burn unit, said 3-year-old Rasel, identified with a single name, was declared dead immediately after the victims were brought to the facility on Saturday afternoon.

The injured were rushed to Noakhali General Hospital after being given first aid at the camp. The hospital sent seven of them to Chattogram, said Resident Medical Officer Syed Mohiuddin Abdul Azim.

The fire started after a man opened a cylinder before returning it for a refill at Cluster 81 of Asrayan-3 housing project in the morning, said Sub-Inspector Noor Hossain of Bhasan Char Police Station.

The gas spread to their neighbour’s kitchen where cooking was under way, he said.

Mohammad Asaduzzaman, superintendent of police in Noakhali, said they would investigate the incident.

Those admitted to the Chattogram hospital are Amena Khatun, 26, Jubaida, 25, Md Sohel, 5, Ruby Alam, 5, Rushmina, 3, and Mobashshera, 3.

All of them, except Amena, suffered burns in their respiratory tract. The children had 45-60 percent of their bodies burnt.

The victims at the Noakhali hospital are adult males – Shafi Alam and Bashir Ulla.