Woman dies nine days after being burned in Barishal bomb blast

Highlights:

• Hanufa suffered 40% flame burns in the 3 August explosion
• Her daughter and fifth-grade grandson were also injured but later recovered
• She died at 5:10pm on Wednesday while undergoing treatment in Dhaka

A woman who suffered severe burn injuries in a bomb blast in Barishal’s Bakerganj upazila died while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka on Wednesday, nine days after the incident.

The deceased was identified as Hanufa Begum, 45, wife of Shah Alam Howlader of Dudholmou village in the upazila.

According to a patient status update from the burn institute, Hanufa sustained 40% flame burns in the blast and died at 5:10pm on Wednesday.

Barishal Deputy Commissioner Mamun Khandaker, quoting Hanufa’s son-in-law Sujon, said a powerful explosion occurred at Shah Alam’s house around 6:00am on 3 August, leaving Hanufa, her daughter Iti and her fifth-grade grandson Fahim seriously burned.

The explosion occurred while a sand-filled bag was being handled at the house, according to information provided by the family.

Locals rescued the injured and took them to Bakerganj Upazila Health Complex. As their condition deteriorated, they were shifted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal.

Later, all three were transferred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka for better treatment.

Iti and Fahim subsequently recovered. Hanufa, however, remained in critical condition due to the severity of her burns and died on Wednesday, according to the hospital.

Barishal Divisional Commissioner Khalil Ahmed said they were deeply saddened by Hanufa’s death.

“We are truly shocked and saddened by the news of Hanufa Begum’s death. We visited them at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital on Monday evening and, after seeing their deteriorating condition, arranged for their immediate transfer to Dhaka for better treatment,” he said.