Dhaka, Feb. 9 -- At least 21 BNP activists and supporters have been hospitalised with burn injuries after a gas balloon brought for a procession exploded in Tongi, Gazipur.

The injured were taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.

Assistant Police Commissioner of Tongi Zone Mahidul Hasan said BNP adherents had gathered in the Tongibazar Batagate to join a mass procession of Gazipur-2 BNP candidate M Manjurul Karim Rony.

The explosion occurred at around 2:30pm, before the mass procession began, he said.

"BNP activists were preparing for the procession. The gas balloon brought for the event exploded before the candidate arrived at the venue."

Shawon Bin Rahman, an assistant professor at the National Institu...