Section 144 imposed within 200 metres of Inani gas fire

The Ukhiya upazila administration imposed Section 144 within a 200-metre radius of a site in Inani, Cox’s Bazar, last night (29 October).

The order, signed by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Panna Akter, will remain in force until further notice.

The order said an emergency meeting was held at the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources yesterday to address the situation and ensure public safety.

The meeting decided to divide the fire source and surrounding areas into different safety zones and introduce precautionary measures.

The restriction prohibits public entry and movement within the designated area to ensure safety as the fire, where gas is escaping from a deep tube-well drilling operation around 6am on Tuesday (27 October), continues to burn.

According to the order, the incident occurred at a house near the Inani Chhoto Khal Bridge in Ward 6 of Jaliapalong Union, Ukhiya, while workers were installing a tube well. Gas began escaping and caught fire as a drilling pipe was driven approximately 1,000 feet underground.

Several fire service units worked under the supervision of the upazila administration to bring the blaze under control.

Amid concerns over the possibility of natural gas reserves at the site, a technical team from Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) visited and inspected the area. 

The team also provided necessary guidance and recommendations.

As part of the restrictions, lighting fires, smoking, using matches or lighters, and carrying out any activity that could generate sparks have been prohibited at the site and in its surrounding area.

The administration warned that legal action would be taken against anyone violating the order.