Officials in Bangladesh have initiated an investigation into a catastrophic explosion in Dhaka that killed at least seven people.

Hundreds of people were injured in a four-story building in the Bangladeshi capital's downtown Moghbazar neighborhood on Sunday after a blast thought to have been caused by excess cooking gas at a four-story structure that housed shops, showrooms, and private offices.

At least three city buses carrying passengers were also damaged by the blast, which was stalled in gridlock in front of the building and other nearby businesses.

According to Samanto Lal Sen, head of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital's burn and plastic surgery unit, twelve patients who suffered burn injuries are in severe condition.

On Monday, members of a four-person investigative team collected evidence, according to Debashish Bardhan of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Department.

He said the panel will report back in seven days on what caused the explosion, adding that investigators first blamed the explosion on excess cooking gas at a restaurant on the ground floor.

According to Bangladeshi police chief Benazir Ahmed, no proof of sabotage has been found thus far. However, he stated that explosives experts will begin an inquiry.
“We will make a final comment after the investigative report is released,” he said.

Civil experts from the Department of Public Works assessed the damaged building, which was built more than 60 years ago, to determine if it could be used again.

In Bangladesh, deaths from gas leak explosions are prevalent because of inadequate maintenance and a lack of enforcement of the law.

At least 33 people were murdered in an explosion at a mosque in Narayanganj, roughly 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) south of Dhaka, in September.