Bag hanging near home explodes, injuring 3 of a family in Barishal

Three members of a family, including two women, were seriously injured in an explosion outside their house in Bakerganj upazila of Barishal this morning.

The incident occurred at around 6:30am in Dudhal Mou village under Bhorpasha union. The injured were identified as Hanufa Begum, 50, her daughter Iti, 19, and Hanufa's grandson Fahim, 14.

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Family members said the victims were on their way to coaching classes when the explosion occurred.

Jamal Hawlader, Hanufa's son and a timber trader, said a bag had been hanging from a wire beside the muddy path in front of their house. As Hanufa touched the wire for support while walking, a powerful explosion occurred.

"The blast left my mother, sister and nephew with severe burn injuries. We first took them to Bakerganj Upazila Health Complex, and they were later referred to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal," he said.

He added that Hanufa Begum is in the most critical condition.

Another family member said the victims had been using a rope tied to a tree to cross the muddy path. A bag attached to the rope suddenly fell to the ground, triggering the explosion.

At Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, Lincoln Dutta, a nurse in the surgery department, said Fahim had sustained burns to his face, hands and legs, while Hanufa Begum and Iti suffered burns to their upper bodies. All three are receiving treatment at the hospital.

Police cordoned off the area following the incident.

Sub-Inspector Habibur Rahman of Bakerganj Police Station, who was at the scene, said police could not immediately determine the nature of the explosive or how the blast had occurred.

Barishal Superintendent of Police AZM Mustafizur Rahman said it remained unclear what type of explosive device had detonated or whether more explosives were still at the scene.

"We have informed the bomb disposal unit in Dhaka, and they are expected to reach the spot later in the day. We are investigating who may have planted the device and the motive behind the incident," he said.

Officer-in-Charge Adil Hossain of Bakerganj Police Station said the case was being treated with the utmost importance.

Police have collected evidence from the scene, while the bomb disposal unit is expected to examine the site as part of the ongoing investigation. The incident has created panic in the area.