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Two women were killed and more than 15 others injured after a five-storey building in Narayanganj’s Fatullah area partially collapsed following an explosion early on Friday morning.
The deceased were identified as Maya Rani, 40, a resident of an adjacent building, and Mangali Rani, 35, a pedestrian. None of the victims was from the ill-fated house.
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Narayanganj Fire Service assistant deputy director Abdullah Al Arefin said a gas leak led to the explosion at the building owned by Moktar Mia in Lalkhan Mor around 6am.
The explosion triggered the collapse of the walls of some flats in the building, which in turn, created a ripple effect and led to wall collapse in three adjoining houses, leaving Maya Rani dead on spot and eight injured in the immediate neighbouring building.
The injured were sent to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in a critical condition.
Also injured were Mangali Rani who was talking a stroll with her daughter Purnima. Both were taken to Victoria Hospital in the city, where the mother succumbed to her injuries, the fire officer said.
Another tenant of another house next to the ill-fated one, Binoy, his wife Nipa and their two children were sleeping when the wall fell on them, leaving them seriously injured.
Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mostain Billah said a 10-member probe committee has been formed to investigate the case.
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Rakibuzzaman, officer-in-charge of Fatullah Model police Slstation, said eight people were undergoing treatment at DMCH. "The other injured are being treated at local hospitals."
Legal action will be taken after the probe, the OC added.