A shoe factory worker was burnt to death while seven others received severe burns when a compressor exploded monday afternoon at Lalbagh in the capital.
Fire Service and Civil Defence officials said the incident took place at around 5pm at the tiny factory located at Islambagh, near the Lalbagh Eidgah.
Police said the deceased could not be identified immediately as the body was burnt beyond recognition.
Azizul Huq, officer-in-charge of Chwakbazar police station, said injured workers were rushed to the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit at Dhaka medical College Hospital.
The injured were Md Dipu, 14, Md Babu, 22, Farid Miah, 16, Sohel Rana, 22, Md Uzzal, 21, Md Rubel, 24, and Sentu Miah, 34.
Witnesses said they heard a big bang and saw fire balls followed by heavy black smoke which was coming out of the factory.
After the incident, locals rescued the injured and rushed them to the hospital.
“The fire that was caused due to the explosion lasted a few moments”, said one of the witnesses, who accompanied the rescuers.
One of the victims said a compressor that had been used to colour the shoes exploded.
The workers said the place where the explosion took place was being used only for colouring purposes.