After visiting the explosion site in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed suspects that the blast may have been caused by methane gas.
However, no conclusion can be drawn yet before a full investigation, he said while talking to journalists around 11am on Monday.
“I do not want to make any comment in this regard. We can draw a conclusion after getting the opinions of the experts,” he added.
The IGP also said: “When gas cylinders are not properly maintained they can turn into explosives.”
A part of the Malibagh-Mouchak flyover, which connected Rajarbagh, Shantinagar and Rampura with Malibagh, was shut down due to the explosion.
“We will reopen the flyover if we find it fit for vehicular movement based on expert opinion,” Benazir added.
He said that police will form a probe body with officials of the bomb disposal unit to investigate the blast. “We will work with the Fire Service to find out the reason behind this incident."
Aftermath on Monday, June 28, 2021, of the explosion in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, which killed at least seven people and injured 50 others Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneIn response to a question regarding possible militant involvement, Benazir said: “The explosion caused destructions in a single direction. In case of bombings, it normally causes destructions in at least three to four directions.”
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam earlier also ruled out the possibility of militant involvement behind the explosion. ”Splinters would have been scattered at the scene had it been a bomb blast.
On Sunday evening, the massive explosion had rocked the Moghbazar area, killing at least seven people and injuring at least 50 others.
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The explosion took place near lifestyle retail chain Aarong's Moghbazar showroom. It also caused massive damage to the establishments nearby.
“The explosion might have occurred in either Shawarma House or Bengal Meat shop on the ground floor of the three-storey building… that is our primary suspicion,” Debashish Bardhan, deputy director (Dhaka zone) of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, told reporters.
Fire Service later at night launched an investigation into the incident. The committee was asked to submit its findings within seven working days.
The IGP on Monday also urged everyone to stay home during the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown and wear masks when they have to get out of their homes for emergency reasons.
“The Covid-19 situation is deteriorating in the country. It would be very unfortunate if we don’t learn a lesson from our neighbouring country despite getting enough time,” he said.
Earlier, Fire Service Director General Brig Gen Md Sazzad Hussain had suspected gas leakage as the most possible cause of the blast.
