Five-Year-Old Boy Loses Arm After Transformer Sparks Near Residential Balcony in Gazipur
Photo Collected
A five-year-old boy in Gazipur has undergone an emergency amputation of his left arm following a horrific electrical accident, sparking a heated dispute between his family and local authorities over safety negligence. Ahnaf Nihan, the son of a government official, suffered severe burns across 22 percent of his body after a high-voltage transformer installed just feet from his apartment balcony malfunctioned and sprayed sparks onto him on July 20.
Ahnaf’s father, Khairul Islam, claims the tragedy was entirely preventable. The family, who reside in a rented third-floor apartment in the Chhayabithi area, had repeatedly warned both the building owner and the local power department about the precarious proximity of the 33-kilovolt transformer. Despite raising concerns since the equipment was installed in March—and requesting safety barriers to protect their living space—the family’s pleas were reportedly ignored.
The incident occurred while the child was standing on the balcony. Witnesses described a sudden, deafening explosion from the transformer, which immediately engulfed the boy in flames. He was rushed to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, where he fought for his life for ten days. Due to severe tissue necrosis and complications from the burns, surgeons were forced to amputate the child’s left arm this past Tuesday.
The building owner’s family has countered these allegations, suggesting that the tenant was offered an alternative apartment to mitigate the risk, an offer they claim the father refused. Meanwhile, the local community has expressed outrage, calling for a comprehensive safety audit of all utility installations in residential zones. They argue that high-power electrical equipment should never be placed in such close proximity to living quarters without adequate protective shielding.
Officials at the Gazipur Palli Bidyut Samity have defended the installation, asserting that the transformer and utility pole were placed in accordance with standard operating procedures. Assistant General Manager Mohaiminul Islam stated that the department has yet to receive a formal written complaint but promised a thorough investigation should one be filed. As the boy continues his recovery in the hospital, his family is demanding accountability for the negligence they believe cost their son his limb.
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