At least 33 people have been killed in a fire at a BM Container Depot in Chittagong’s Shitakundo district. More than four hundred plus have been burnt caused by an explosion at a private Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Sitakunda upazila in Chittagong.
Although the fire started a few hours later, it has not been brought under control yet. Eight units of the fire service are working to control the fire.
The fire broke out at BM Container Depot in Bhatiari area of Sitakunda Upazila around 11pm on Saturday (June 4).
Faruk Hossain Sikder, assistant director of Agrabad Fire Service, told banglanews that eight of our units were working after receiving the news of the incident. After the fire broke out, the container exploded, causing the fire to spread rapidly due to the chemicals present there. He could not immediately be reached for comment.
According to the locals, several people living in the container depot have been sent to Chittagong Medical College in critical condition.
Volunteer Nesar Ahmed said the firefighters were rushed to the spot by several ambulances. The fire is still burning. The fire service is trying. Local people are also helping to put out the fire.
After the blaze, BM authorities said they could not confirm the cause of the blaze. However, it is believed that the fire started from the container. Arrangements are being made for the injured to get maximum treatment. We will bear the full cost of treatment. Those who have suffered casualties in this accident will be given maximum compensation. Besides, the families of all the victims will be taken care of.
Istakul Islam, chief of the Health & Service Department at Red Crescent Youth Chittagong, told Dhaka Tribune: “Over 450 people have been injured in this incident of which, at least 350 are at CMCH. The death toll could be more at other hospitals.”
Hospitals and clinics in Chittagong require emergency blood following fire at the inland container depot. #Chittagong is Bangladesh’s commercial capital and hub for major shipment. Fire has been blazing for over 5 hours with several reported injured and killed. #PrayForChittagong
The body is being taken for autopsy and DNA test will be done
Chawkbazar Zone Assistant (AC) Commissioner Shahidul Islam said DNA tests have been arranged to identify the body. He said the Panchlaish police are preparing an inquest and sending the body to Chittagong Medical College (CMC) morgue for autopsy. There, DNA will be collected for identification. The bodies of those whose relatives are missing will be handed over after DNA testing.
BM Container Depot, a Dutch-Bangladeshi joint venture, was set up as an inland container depot which is operating from May 2011, one of 19 such ICDs in Chattogram.
The chairman of the depot is Dutch businessman Bert Pronk, who has other investments too in Bangladesh, while the managing director is Mustafizur Rahman of the Smart Group of Industries.
Let us pray for the people affected by the Shitakundo fire at BM Depot in Chittagong, firefighters, doctors, police, and all those who took part in the rescue operation. We extend a helping hand in any way we can.
Oh Allah, protect us.
