Yet another deadly explosion took lives of seven people along with injuring 10 others at Patharghata in Chattogram on Sunday. The victims were all pedestrians including women and children who were passing through the way to work or school. They were hurt when a wall of the damaged building fell upon them. Soon after the incident, the authorities concerned formed three probe bodies to find the reason. Most of the injured were admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. One of the injured, Arpita Nath with 45 percent burn, was referred to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Local police authority, Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Director after preliminary observation suspected it was caused due to gas leakage. But what is significant is that, the Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited on Monday refuted the allegation of the gas line fault and claimed that the explosion may have occurred for other reasons. On the other hand, the Chattogram Development Authority said that the building where the accident occurred was constructed violating building codes. CDA officials said the building owners blocked roads to get more space and built septic tanks on the road. In the course of time toxic gas may have generated in septic tanks that could trigger the explosion. Moreover, the officials of Explosive Department yesterday claimed that it was a gas explosion, though it was impossible for them to conduct an in-depth investigation within a short time.
We know other people’s death is no concern to public authorities paid for taking of public interest. We need a government competent and accountable to the people to be conscious of their responsibility. Our problem is our public servants are not, generally speaking, faithful to the people. This is most unfortunate.
