Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, spoke to reporters after visiting the victims of a gas line leakage explosion in Halishahar, Chattogram. Photo:BSS

DHAKA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has directed authorities to ensure maximum medical care for victims injured in separate gas explosion incidents in Halishahar of Chattoghram and Daudkandi of Cumilla.

He gave the instruction while visiting the injured at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (NIBPS) here today. 

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Sakhawat Hossain said that nine members of the same family were burned in the gas line leakage explosion in Halishahar of Chattogram. 

Of them, three have died and six are currently undergoing treatment while one of the patients remains on life support, he said.

"I have come to see them. Proper treatment of the admitted patients is being ensured," he said.

The Health Minister also said that four members of another family injured in a gas cylinder explosion in Daudkandi of Cumilla and were admitted to the institute on Tuesday morning. 

Two of them are in critical condition, he said, adding that doctors have been instructed to provide the highest level of treatment to all the injured patients.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu was present during the visit. 

He told reporters that gas leakage-related accidents occur in different parts of the country throughout the year.

Referring to the recent incidents in Halishahar and Daudkandi, he emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to prevent such tragedies.

 "We want the Ministry of Industries, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief to work together so that expired gas cylinders can be brought under proper regulations," he said.

Dulu further stated that a meeting among the three ministries will be held soon to determine effective measures to reduce such accidents.

Calling the incidents tragic, he said women and children were among the injured and assured that his ministry would provide all necessary support to the victims.

During the visit, Director of the institute Professor Dr. Md. Nasir Uddin briefed the ministers on the condition of the injured and the ongoing medical treatment.