Death toll in Ctg Sitakunda depot fire rises to 37, The death toll in the devastating fire that caused explosions at BM Container Depot in the Shitolpur area at Sitakunda Upazila of the district has gone up to 37, an official said.
“37 bodies were brought to the Chattogram Medical College and Hospital (CMCH),” said Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Alauddin Talukder of the CMCH police outpost.
Earlier, the assistant director of the Sitakunda fire service Farooq Siddiqui said 33 bodies were so far recovered from the sitakunda depot fire .
A fire service media cell press release also said five firemen died and 15 personnel were injured while trying to extinguish the flame as its two members went missing.
Over three hundred people, including police and fire service personnel, were also injured in the incident, hospital sources said.
More than 300 injured people, of whom, many received burn injuries, are undergoing treatment in different hospitals in Chattogram, they added.
However, the actual number of injured people could not be verified independently.
Ashraf Uddin, the divisional commissioner of Chattogram, told newsmen that the families of the deceased persons are being given Tk 50,000 by the DC office while Tk 20,000 to the families of the injured people.
A team of army personnel reached the depot to help bring the fire under control, he said.
ASI Talukder said 28 bodies were kept in the CMCH morgue.
The fire originated at the depot at about 9.35 am last night.
Police and fire service personnel are trying to douse the flames and rescuing people and sending them to hospitals.
BM Container Depot Ltd is a Netherlands-Bangladesh joint venture, according to the police and officials of the depot.
Faruk Hossain Sikdar, assistant director of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, said that at least 20 units of the fire service were dispatched to the place of occurrence.
The blaze was not brought under control yet in spite of nine hours of hectic efforts.
The fire service and civil defense personnel were unable to make headway despite multiple attempts being in place since this morning due to a fire that is being sometimes fuelled by Hydrogen peroxide, sources said.
High government officials including the CMP commissioner and divisional commissioner visited the CMCH.
PM condoles death in Chattogram depot fire
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed profound shock and sorrow at the loss of lives and injuries in the BM Container depot fire at Sitakunda in Chattogram.
In a message of condolence, she prayed for the eternal peace for the departed souls and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
The premier asked the authorities concerned to take prompt measures for the treatment of the injured people.
She also asked her party leaders alongside the government to come forward in controlling the fire quickly and taking measures to give all-out support to the affected people.