At least 10 people, including media personnel, were injured following a gas balloon explosion during the ‘July Uprising Day’ event held on Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on Tuesday (August 5) at around 2:17 PM.
The blast triggered panic and chaos, which was later brought under control by law enforcement officials.
Dr. Shawon Bin Rahman, a resident surgeon at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, confirmed that 10 injured individuals were admitted following the explosion. Fortunately, their injuries were not deemed life-threatening.
Eyewitnesses reported that a group of balloons, distributed to attendees near the main stage, suddenly exploded with a loud bang. The explosion was followed by a burst of flames, scattering plastic debris across the area and burning several individuals.
Initial treatment was provided at the venue, and the injured were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals.
Among the injured, two individuals were reported to be in critical condition, with one suffering burns on approximately 25% of their body.
One volunteer present at the event said, “Some of the balloons contained helium, while others possibly had a gas mixture. It`s suspected that high gas pressure or a nearby spark—perhaps from a cigarette—ignited the fire and triggered the explosion.”
The incident briefly halted the celebratory atmosphere of the event. However, organizers managed to restore order and resume the program after a short interruption.
Although no official statement has been released by the event organizers, a member of the committee, requesting anonymity, stated “There are several CCTV cameras installed at the venue. We are reviewing footage to investigate the cause of the fire and determine whether any foul play was involved.”
