Death toll rises to 23 in Narayanganj mosque attack

Death toll from mysterious mosque blast at Fatullah of Narayanganj has climbed to 23 on Sunday, said hospital sources.

Of the 23 deceased, 20 victims were identified as Ibrahim (43), Delwar Hossain (48), Mostafa Kamal (34), Sabbir (21), Zubair (18), Zunayed (17), Humayun Kabir (70), Rifat (18), Kuddus Bepari (72), Jamal (40), seven-year-old Jewel, Rashed (30), Mainuddin (12), Jaynal (40), Nayan (27), Kanchan (50), Rasel (34), Bahauddin (55), Mizan (34) and Abdul Malek (60), imam of the mosque.

Besides, victims, who are in critical condition, are now undergoing treatment at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka Medical College Hospital here.

At least 50 people suffered severe burn injuries in the AC blast at Pashchim Talla Baitus Salah Mosque around 8.30 pm in Narayanganj after Esha prayers on Friday.

Narayanganj Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Abdullah Al Arefin said that a gas pipe line of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited has gone through the bottom of the mosque.

The AC might have blasted from leakage in the gas pipe line as the gas accumulated inside the mosque from the leak could not pass as the windows were closed due to the AC, he added.