A gas fire that erupted from underground during the installation of a deep tube well in Inani, Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar, remains uncontrolled for the fourth consecutive day. For public safety, the upazila administration has issued Section 144, prohibiting entry and presence within a 200-meter radius of the site. A barbed-wire fence and red flags are being set up around the hazardous zone. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX) has collected gas samples and decided to monitor the gas flow for at least 15 days.
Security perimeter construction began on Thursday morning (October 29) near the Chhotokhal Bridge in Ward 6 of Jaliapalong Union under the upazila. On the same day, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Panna Akhtar imposed Section 144. According to the order, lighting fires, smoking, using matches or lighters, and any actions that could generate sparks have been prohibited. The restriction will remain in effect until further notice.
Advice Against Stopping Gas Flow: A meeting of relevant officials and experts was held at Petrobangla on Thursday morning to address the situation. Chaired by the Director (Operations and Mines) of Petrobangla, the meeting was attended by officials from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, district and upazila administrations, BAPEX, and other concerned departments.
It was decided at the meeting that no attempt should currently be made to stop the gas flow or extinguish the flames. Obstructing the gas flow could cause gas to accumulate underground, leading to high-pressure explosions or gas escaping from other locations, potentially causing a major accident. Therefore, the gas flow will initially be monitored for 15 days. If the flow does not diminish during this period, further action will be taken based on expert opinions.
Experts recommended dividing the site into three safety zones: a "Red Zone" within a 50-meter radius, a "No Fire Zone" within a 100-meter radius, and an "Observation Zone" within a 200-meter radius. Public entry and presence are strictly prohibited in the Red Zone. Lighting fires or generating sparks is banned in the No Fire Zone, while BAPEX experts will continuously monitor the situation in the Observation Zone. Additionally, power lines within the No Fire Zone will remain under constant surveillance.
Ukhiya UNO Panna Akhtar stated that a security fence has been erected and Section 144 imposed to ensure public safety. The situation is being monitored as per advice from BAPEX experts. Local residents have been urged to stay at a safe distance and follow administrative instructions.
Read nextSRB Raids Residential House in Chhagalnaiya: Drug Dealer Arrested with 40 kg HempBAPEX Investigating Gas Source: The incident occurred on the morning of October 27 at the homestead of Mohammad Abdullah near the Chhotokhal Bridge. While digging and inserting pipes for a deep tube well, gas began rushing out at high pressure from underground and subsequently caught fire. Although four Fire Service units, along with police and army personnel, rushed to the scene, they could not control the fire due to the continuous flow of gas.
SM Nafifun Arham, BAPEX Manager (Geology) and head of the geological survey team, stated that preliminary estimates suggest the well digging reached near a gas layer at a depth of about 1,000 feet, allowing gas to escape to the surface through underground fractures. However, without laboratory analysis, it is not possible to confirm the nature, composition, or reserves of the gas.
He added that attempting to forcefully stop the gas flow or pressure could cause gas to rupture through other weak spots underground, leading to a major disaster. Thus, the immediate focus is on ensuring safety and keeping people away from the high-risk area.
A technical team from BAPEX has visited the site multiple times and collected gas samples. Further investigations are underway to determine the source and nature of the gas, considering the potential presence of natural gas reserves.
Power Supply Restored: To prevent flames from spreading to electrical wires, electricity supply had been suspended across a 15-kilometer area from Monkhali to Patuartek, leaving around 4,000 families without power. Engineer Kaizar Nur, Deputy General Manager (DGM) of Ukhiya Palli Bidyut Samiti, confirmed that the power supply—turned off as a precautionary measure—was restored on Wednesday night.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Sayeed Mohammed Anwar, Special Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
