At least 15 workers were injured in a boiler explosion at a garment factory in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Friday morning, triggering a two-hour road blockade by agitated workers protesting alleged safety lapses and other irregularities at the factory.

The incident occurred around 8:45am at Nirjan Garments in the Taltala area of Pagla under Sadar upazila.

The injured included Arbin, Zakir, Monju, Shahin, Joy, Hridoy, Sabina, Khadija, Nasima, Al-Amin and Antor, among others. They are undergoing treatment at different private hospitals and at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

According to workers and eyewitnesses, panic spread inside the factory following the explosion, leaving several workers injured.

Workers alleged that they had repeatedly informed the factory authorities about the risky condition of the boiler, but no effective measures were taken to address the issue.

They also claimed that materials had been stored along internal factory roads, narrowing evacuation routes. As a result, many workers were unable to leave the premises quickly during the emergency, increasing the number of casualties.

Following the incident, angry workers blocked the Dhaka-Narayanganj old road, disrupting traffic and causing long tailbacks.

During the protest, workers reportedly confined and assaulted the factory’s production manager, Jasim Uddin, and supervisor Monir.

Police from Fatullah Model Police Station and Industrial Police rushed to the scene and worked to bring the situation under control.

Later, Fatullah Thana BNP Labour Affairs Secretary Babul Ahmed spoke with the workers and assured them that their legitimate demands would be discussed with the factory management. Following the assurance, the workers withdrew the blockade.

The officer-in-charge (OC) of Fatullah Model Police Station said police were deployed at the scene after receiving information about the incident.

“The situation is now normal and the workers have withdrawn the road blockade,” the OC said.