Investigators from the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited have so far found six leakages in the underground gas pipeline that runs four feet deep under the Baitus Salat Jame Mosque building in Narayanganj's West Talla area—where a series of explosions triggered a fire on Friday night, causing the deaths of 29 people.
“A total of six leaks have been identified after the third day of inspecting the gas pipeline. After investigating the line, the authority concerned was able to stop the gas leakage at all six points around 6pm Wednesday,” said Titas Gas general manager Abdul Wahab Talukder on Wednesday, who also heads the Titas investigation committee set up to investigate the blast.
He said the report of the probe committee formed by Titas would be submitted to the department concerned on Thursday, citing the findings of the on-the-spot investigation.
The official also identified the construction of the mosque structures, without any approval from authorities concerned, to be the cause behind the leaks and subsequently the explosions.
Friday's explosion has so far caused the deaths of at least 29 out of 36 people who were burnt. Around 150 people were attending Isha prayer when the fire broke out.
