By: Hafizur Rahman
Cox’s Bazar | 7 August 2025
Three residents were seriously injured on Wednesday in a gas cylinder accident in Camp 2W, Block B, Sub-block B03, highlighting the dangers of unsafe fuel handling in densely populated refugee camps.
According to local sources, the incident occurred when two men attempted to transfer gas from one cylinder to another, triggering a major leak or possible explosion. One of the injured, Jahid Hossain (27), lived in the block where the accident occurred. Another, Osiur Rahman (45), was assisting during the transfer. Nur Fatema (23), a passerby, was also caught in the blast.
All three were initially taken to the MSF hospital inside the camp for emergency treatment. Due to the severity of their injuries, they were later referred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for advanced care.
This incident underscores the life-threatening risks of improper gas cylinder handling in confined areas. In refugee camps, where makeshift living conditions leave little room for error, one wrong move can have devastating consequences.
“We use gas every day, but most of us don’t know how to handle it properly,” said a resident of Camp 2W. “Now three people are fighting for their lives.”
As the camp community reels from the accident, residents and local volunteers are urging humanitarian actors, camp authorities, and NGO partners to prioritize awareness campaigns and basic safety training for those using gas cylinders for daily cooking.
In a setting already shaped by displacement and vulnerability, a moment of carelessness should not become a life-altering tragedy. Safety, residents say, should not be a privilege—but a right.
Recent Comments