An eight-year-old child, died while playing with fireworks in Patuakhali, while in a separate incident, two teenagers were seriously injured.
The tragic incident occurred around 9pm on Sunday in Munsefpara, where Rafi, 8, a first-grade student at a local madrasa, was setting off fireworks near his home. He was the son of Monir Hawlader, a fish trader by profession.
According to his uncle Abul Bashar and eyewitnesses, one of the fireworks exploded with excessive force, sending sharp fragments into Rafi’s throat and windpipe.
He started bleeding profusely and lost consciousness. His family rushed him to Patuakhali Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
In a separate incident at 8:30pm, Belal Talukder, 16, and his cousin Md Rabbi, 15, were seriously injured. Both of them are from Haktulllah village of the Patuakhali Sadar upazila.
The incident occurred when they attempted to ignite a firework, but it exploded in their hands. Belal suffered severe injuries to his right palm, fingers, and left eye, while Rabbi sustained serious damage to his right hand and fingers.
The two were quickly taken to Patuakhali Medical College Hospital, where doctors provided initial treatment and then referred them to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College for advanced care.
Their uncle, Siddiqur Rahman, said: “Belal’s right palm and fingers were severely damaged, and his left eye was badly injured. Rabbi also suffered deep wounds to his right hand.”
He added: “Doctors warned that part of Belal’s hand might need to be amputated, so both were sent to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College for advanced treatment.”
Dr Nayan Sarkar, on duty at Patuakhali Medical College Hospital, confirmed saying: “A piece of firework entered Rafi’s windpipe, causing fatal bleeding. We couldn’t save him.”
He added: “Two others were also brought in with serious hand and eye injuries and were referred to Barisal for further treatment.”
