RAB: Gas accumulated in basement may have caused Gulistan explosion

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) suspects that gas accumulated in the basement of a seven-storey may have caused the explosion on Tuesday that left 17 dead and dozens injured in Dhaka's Gulistan.

RAB bomb disposal unit chief Major Mashiur Rahman said told the media on Wednesday that the agency had found that the explosion had originated from the building's basement. 

 Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

He added that the gas might have come from the building's sewerage system or from the supply line of Titas.

The RAB official ruled out the possibility of an AC unit causing the explosion. 

RAB is currently trying to recover CCTV footage of a nearby shop to help it determine the exact cause of the incident. 

When asked about the slow progress of the rescue operation, Major Mahsiur said rescue personnel were currently removing rubble and other items from inside the building.

 Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

However, Titas Gas Director (Operation) Md Salim Mia, while addressing the press at the scene of the incident, said Titas had not found any evidence of a gas leak in its supply lines. 

If there had been a gas leak, there would have been a massive fire in the building, he added.