The deceased was identified as Shahjahan Hossain Samrat, son of late Abul Jalil Miah of Badura Village under Parerhaat upazila of Pirojpur.
Also read: 4 killed in Sylhet microbus cylinder blast
Most of the injured were women and children in the vicinity of the factory, said officer in charge of Patharghata police station Mohammad Shahab Uddin. The injured were taken to Patharghata Upazila Health Complex, he said.
The accident occurred at around 1:30am on Friday.
Witnesses said the gas cylinder of Mollah Ice Mill suddenly exploded around 12: 45 am in the morning, affecting everyone within a one kilometer radius. Many of them fell ill as they inhaled the toxic gas.
Also read: Two killed in Noakhali gas cylinder blast
Barguna 2 MP Shawkat Rahman Rimon, UNO Sabrina Sultana and OC Shahab Uddin rushed to the hospital where the ailing were taken after they came to know about the accident.
Patharghata Upazila Health Complex official Abul Fatah said 10 seriously injured were transferred to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Hospital. Though they are trying their best to treat the injured, he fears the death toll may rise due to shortage of oxygen.
Also read: 2 killed, 10 injured in Bhola gas cylinder blast
Marufuzzaman, a fireman at the Patharghata Fire Service Station, said two units rushed to the scene immediately after receiving the news. However they couldn’t get too close to the scene of the accident due to toxic smell of Ammonia. Two of the fire fighters fell sick anyway.