Fire, explosion at Ctg depot: Death toll now 16

The death toll in the fire and subsequent explosions at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram has increased to 16 while hundreds of people, including police and fire service personnel sustained burn injuries in the incident.

In-Charge of Chattogram Medical Police Outpost Sub-Inspector, Alauddin Talukdar, confirmed the development to The Daily Star.

According to fire service sources, three of their workers were also killed during the incident.

The identities of the deceased could not be known yet.

Talking to The Daily Star, Ashekur Rahman, in-charge of CMCH police camp, said more than 50 people were taken to different units of the CMCH and more people were being brought to the hospital with severe burn injuries.

The ICU bed at Chattogram Medical College Hospital is full. Therefore, in case of a crisis, the Divisional Director (Health) Dr Hasan Shahriar Kabir has instructed to shift patients to the ICU of the Chittagong General Hospital in Anderkilla, his personal assistant Shahadat Shakil said.

The fire broke out at BM Container Limited in Shitalpur area around 10pm last night (June 4), said a duty officer of Chittagong Fire Service and Civil Defence control room at Agrabad.

On information, 25 firefighting units rushed to the spot and were trying to douse the blaze, the officer told The Daily Star.

Talking to the correspondent, some fire service officials said an explosion went off in the depot while the fire service men and container depot staff were trying to extinguish the fire.

The victims might have been injured due to the explosion, the officials added.

In a statement, Mujibur Rahman, director of the BM Container Depot, said it was not clear what caused the fire. "But I think the fire started from the container."

"Arrangements are being made to ensure that the injured get the best treatment. We will bear the entire cost of the treatment. Those who were injured in the accident will be given the maximum compensation," Mujibur Rahman said.

"In addition, we will take responsibility for all the families of all the victims," he added.

Nearly 50 ambulances were kept at the spot to take the injured persons to hospital as many people were trapped inside the depot following the explosion, reports another staff correspondent from the spot.

The fire was still raging till the filing of this report at 8am and at times, small explosions were going off at the depot, added this correspondent.