5 burnt after oil tanker blast in Jhalakathi

Five people were burnt and four others went missing after an explosion on an oil-laden cargo on the southern bank of the Sugandha River near Jhalakathi.

Five people were burnt and four others went missing after an explosion on an oil-laden cargo on the southern bank of the Sugandha River near Jhalakathi.

The incident occurred on Saturday (July 1) noon near the Rajapur Village in the district.

There were nine crew members, including the vessel’s master, on board. Five of them were recovered with burn injuries. Rest four members are still missing.

Those burnt were identified as Shakil, 35; Faridul Alam, 50; Iqbal Hossain, 27; Belayet Hossain, 35 and Mainur Islam Hridoy, 29.

Mohidul Islam, additional police superintendent of Jhalakathi Sadar Circle, said the Nandini-2 tanker exploded suddenly while it was transporting petrol and diesel to the Padma Oil Depot in the town, which set the vessel ablaze.

On information, five units of firefighters rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control.

The reason behind the blast could not be known immediately.