At least 10 people, including media personnel, were injured when a gas balloon exploded during an event marking “July Uprising Day” at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Tuesday afternoon.
The explosion occurred around 2:17pm near the main stage, triggering panic among attendees. Law enforcement personnel swiftly brought the situation under control.
Dr Shawon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said: “Ten people injured in the gas balloon explosion at Manik Mia Avenue have come to the hospital. Their conditions are not very critical.”
One of the victims, now undergoing treatment at the burn institute of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, suffered burns on about 25 percent of their body, according to hospital sources.
The identities of the injured have not yet been confirmed.
Eyewitnesses said balloons were being distributed among the crowd in front of the stage when several helium-filled balloons suddenly exploded with a loud bang. Flames erupted instantly, scattering burning plastic and injuring several people.
A volunteer at the event said: “The balloons were tied together; some were filled with helium and others possibly with a mixed gas. It’s suspected that high pressure or a nearby cigarette or spark may have caused the explosion.”
Following the incident, organizers arranged immediate medical assistance, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. Two of them are reported to be in critical condition.
The festive atmosphere quickly gave way to panic, but the organisers managed to resume the event after a brief disruption.
No official statement has been released yet by the organizing committee. However, a source involved with the event, wishing to be anonymous said: “There are multiple CCTV footages of the incident. We are reviewing them to find out why the balloons caught fire and whether any foul play was involved.”
