Chattogram: At least 17 people, including three children, suffered burns when the compressor of a microbus air-conditioner exploded on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway in Patia upazila on Tuesday night.

Sixteen of them were identified as Rubel, 22, Mohammad Mamun, 19, Abdul Alam, 20, Idris, 50, Saidur Rahman, 16, Belal Hossain, 22, Shohagh, 13, Helal, 22, Mohammad Arif, 13, Zahir, 17, Touhidul Islam, 28, Abul Kalam, 45, Arif Hossain, 3, Delwar Hossain, 20, Jahangir Alam, 35, and Sadek, 15, the UNB reported.

The accident took place around 10:45pm in front of the Patia Fire Service Station.

Borhan Uddin, officer-in-charge of Patia Police Station, said the compressor of the microbus’ AC exploded with a loud bang and caught fire.

Sixteen of the injured were taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. The other two were given first aid.

The victims were returning to Cox’s Bazar from Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport after seeing off a relative.