C T Online Desk: A severe explosion of spurious chemical occured at Sitakunda BM container depot in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram yesterday caused 45 and hurt more than 200 including firefighters
. The death toll in the explosion at Chattogram’s Sitakunda BM container depot reached 45, confirmed the authorities of Chittagong Medical College Hospital and police.
Besides, more than 200 people were injured in the explosion as a fire broke out at a container depot on Saturday night.The death toll could rise further as some of the injured were severely burnt in the fire.
According to locals, the blast took place around 11:15 pm after a fire broke out there. The injured were brought to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), they added.
Nurul Qayum Khan, president of the association of inland container depot owners said that there was a container of hydrogen peroxide at the depot for shipment and that might be the reason behind the big blast.Chattogram Civil Surgeon Ilias Chowdhury has requested everyone to rush to the blood bank of CMCH and donate blood.Doctors from nearby government and private hospitals have been requested to report to CMCH to provide services to large number of injured patients.
Five firefighters, among 45 people, were killed in an explosion following a fire and blast.One of the firefighter victims was identified as Moniruzzaman, a nursing assistant, while the authorities could not provide details of the other firefighters.
Alauddin Talukder, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police of Medical college camp , said that the death toll has risen to forty five in the BM container depot at Sitakunda.ICD depot in Chattogram. Fire Service Deputy Director Anisur Rahman told that the rescue operation was still underway.
Fire service units are working. On Sunday (June 5th), the fire was not fully under control, but there were problems with the fire. The depot contains large quantities of ‘hydrogen peroxide’ combustible chemicals.
Gaussia Committee Advocate Mosheb Uddin told Bakhtiyar said , “We recovered 20 bodies from the BM depot till 9:30 pm.” Thousands of our volunteers are working in various hospitals, including the depot. The bodies that are now available are dreadful. There is no way to know.The body is being taken in the autopsy, the DNA test will be doneChawkbazar Zone Assistant (AC) Commissioner Shahidul Islam said the DNA examination has been arranged to identify the body’s identity. He said that Panchlaish Police Station was making the body of the body and sending it to Chittagong Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. DNA will be collected there to identify the bodies there. Those who are missing are missing DNA and the body will be handed over.
Army deployed in the ICD
On the other hand , from Sunday (June 5th), the members of the Bangladesh Army have started working towards these chemicals so that these chemicals do not spread widely.
Army Lieutenant Colonel Shahnaz Sultana told that at around 4pm that hundreds of members of the army were working so that chemicals could not spread everywhere. It is also found whether there is a drain in the vicinity. I am trying to ensure that these chemicals do not spread to the sea.
Probe committee formed :
Port Chairman Rear Admiral M Shahjahan has visited the explosion at a private BM container depot in the Shitalpur area of Sitakunda.He left for Sitakunda on Sunday (June 5th) at around 8am.
The port chairman was accompanied by members of the port (Harbor and Marine), Director (Transport) and Director (Security). The port secretary Omar Farooq confirmed the matter to New Nation..
The explosion took place around 9pm on Saturday (June 5th) on the container depot on Saturday (June 5th). After 4 hours of the fire, the fire did not come under control. Workers from various voluntary organizations, including the fire service, are conducting rescue operations. Army, RAB-police and intelligence agencies are on the spot. Fire Service Senior Station Officer Enamul Haque told media that it is not right when the fire will come under control. We’re trying.
Chittagong Custom House Commissioner. Fakhrul Alam told that a 5 -member high -level inquiry committee has been formed under the head of the Terminal Manager to investigate the BM Depot incident. This committee has been asked to report within 5 days.
BM Depot GM (Sales) Nazmul Aktar Khan told reporters that the depot has more than 4,000 TEUscontaiers. On Saturday there were 5,900 TEUS containers. Of these, 4,000 are empty containers. Export goods are 5 containers. Imported goods were 5 containers. The containers of hydrogen peroxide were kept for export.
He said the depot was more than 200 staff at two shifts during the accident. In addition to the chemical load container in the fire, the Container Freight Station (CFS) shed was burnt.
Besides, a three -member inquiry committee constituted to inquiry into the BM container depot. The information was released in a notice signed by Abdullah Al Shakib Mubaran Nat, Deputy Inspector General of the Department of Factories & Establishment The committee has been asked to submit an investigation report by visiting physically within the next three office hours .
Shipon Chowdhury, Assistant Inspector of the Department, is the chief of the committee .
Meanwhile the leaders of BGMEA including President Md.Faruk Hasan, first vice president Syed Nazrul Islam expressed profound shock at the death of depot workers at Sitakuna and prayed for salvation of the departed soul.
Besides, Deputy Minister for Education Barrister Mohibul Hasan chowdhury Nowfel MP rushed to the Chattogram Medical Hospital to see the burn patients and enquire their treatment. He also told the journalists that following the orders of the Prime Minister , the burn injuries have b
been admitted in Chattogram Medical college Hospsital, General Hospital , combined Military Hospital and Park view hospital . He also urged the visitors not to rush in the hospital which will hamper the better treatment, sources said.
