Six people, including five children, suffered burns in a cylinder explosion of a CNG-run autorickshaw in Begumganj upazila of Noakhali on Wednesday.

The accident happened around 6:30 pm in front of the Globe Factory on the Maijdi to Chourasta regional highway in the Darbeshpur area of Choumuhani Municipality.

Dr Rajib Ahmed Chowdhury, Residential Medical Officer (RMO) of Noakhali General Hospital, said five of the burn victims were admitted to the hospital, with 5-7% burns on their bodies. However, all of them were out of danger.

The injured are Kohinur Hossain (55), daughter of Abdul Barik Hekim from Howlader Bari in Noannoi Union of the district’s Sadar Upazila; Shahriar (9), son of Anwar from Nazirpur area of Ward 2 in Choumuhani Municipality; his daughters Samia Akter (14) and Ruhi (11); Tawhid (5), son of Iqbal from the same ward; and his daughter Shahna (10).

According to locals, the autorickshaw left Maijdi for Chourasta in Begumganj. As it reached in front of the Globe Factory on the Maijdi-Chourasta regional highway, the autorickshaw’s cylinder suddenly exploded Locals immediately rescued them and took them to Noakhali General Hospital, a 250-bed facility.

As Kohinur’s condition was critical, she was sent to Dhaka for advanced treatment after receiving initial medical care.

Begumganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Liton Dewan said he was not aware of the incident but would look into it.