IGP suspects methane gas caused Moghbazar blast

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed on Monday said he suspected the existence of methane gas behind the Sunday’s Moghbazar blast but refused to draw any conclusion before a full investigation.

The police will form a probe body involving the bomb disposal unit to investigate the big blast in a building near Moghbazar Wireless Gate.

The IGP disclosed the information to the press after visiting the site of the incident on Monday.

“We will form a probe committee involving officials from the bomb disposal unit and will work with the fire service to find out the reason behind such an incident,” he told reporters.

In 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.”

Besides , the IGP urged everyone to stay home during this 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, Brigadier General Md Sazzad Hussain, director general of Fire Service and Civil Defence, disclosed that they have formed a five-member committee to investigate the blast.

The committee has been asked to submit a report within seven working days,” Md Sazzad added.

The fire service chief also suspected gas leakage as the most possible cause of the blast.

Meanwhile, DMP Commissioner Shafiqul Islam ruled out the possibility of militant involvement behind the explosion.

”Splinters would have been scattered at the scene had it been a bomb blast,” he said.

At least eight people were killed and 66 others injured following the blast. However, sources within the Fire Service and Civil Defence confirmed the deaths of only three people.