Three of a family injured in Barishal blast

BARISHAL, Aug 3: Three members of a family sustained burn injuries after a bomb-like object exploded in Bakerganj Upazila of Barishal early on Monday, prompting police to call in a specialised bomb disposal unit to determine the nature of the explosive.

The incident occurred around 6:30am in Uttar Dudhalmou village under Bhorpasha Union. Police cordoned off the area following the explosion and launched an investigation.

The injured are Hanufa Begum, 40, wife of Shah Alam Hawlader, their daughter Iti, 15, and grandson Fahim, 12, a fifth-grade student. They were initially taken to Bakerganj Upazila Health Complex before being shifted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal as their condition deteriorated. They were admitted around 9:30am.

Lincoln Dutta, a nurse at the Surgery Department of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, said Fahim suffered burns to his face, hands and legs, while Hanufa Begum sustained burns to her chest and waist. Both are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

According to police and local residents, Hanufa Begum was taking her grandson to school, accompanied by her daughter, when they passed a pile of construction materials near two houses. A bomb-like object kept inside a sack of sand suddenly exploded, leaving the three injured and triggering panic in the neighbourhood.