Sitakunda container depot fire: Death toll climbs to 49

The death toll in depot explosion at Sitakunda in Chattogram rose to 49, said fire service officials on Sunday.

"The death toll from the fire climbed to 49 and there were nine fire service members among the deceased,” said Anisur Rahman, deputy director of Fire Service and Civil Defense, while briefing reporters at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) over the brutal blaze.

Around 17 deceased were identified so far and, of them, the names of 15 people have been found.

They are, Mominul Haque, Mohiuddin, Habibur Rahman, Rabiul Alam, Tofail Islam, Faruk Jamaddar, Afzal Hossain, Md. Sumon, Md. Ibrahim, Harun Ur Rashid, Md. Nayan, Shahadat Hossain, Shakil Tarafdar, Shahadat Ullah Jamadar and fire service employee Moniruzzaman.

Besides, over 200 people suffered injuries. Around 130 people are undergoing treatment at the burn unit of CMCH, said Anisur.

Shahjahan Shikdar, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defense headquarters (media), said 15 firefighters are undergoing treatment at Chattogram Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

Seven seriously injured people, including two firemen, were brought to Dhaka by a Bangladesh Army helicopter around 6 pm today, according to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate. Twelve firemen still remained missing, he added.

About 250 members of the Bangladesh Army are working to bring the blaze under control even after 22 hours in the BM container depot at Sitakunda. Army members are also working to contain the spread of chemical in the area.

In this regard, Fire Service deputy director Anisur said the fire was almost under control. But suddenly 6-7 containers exploded and the fire spread again.

“There is water crisis in the depot area. Water was brought from a pond there, which has dried up,” said Anisur. The fire is not being extinguished due to chemicals in the container, he added.