Ctg civil surgeon's fervent appeal for blood for the injured

One of the injured from the devastating fire at BM Container Depot at Sitakunda in Chattogram. UNB

Chattogram, June 5 - At least 18 people, including fire fighters, died and 400 others were injured in a devastating fire followed by a blast at a container depot in Sitakunda, Chattogram Medical College Hospital and police sources confirmed.

The casualties included depot workers as well as members of the police and fire service.

The blast took place around 11:15 pm on Saturday after a fire broke out there. The injured were brought to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

There were three fire service members among the deceased, they said.

Identities of the deceased couldn’t be known yet, said OC (investigation) Suman Banik of Sitakunda Police Station.

After hours of hectic effort 23 firefighting units managed to bring the blaze under control around 7.30 am.

Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defence Assistant Director Faruk Hossain said sound of a large explosion rocked the area around 9:45 pm on Saturday.

"The explosion was heard within a radius of 4km from the spot," Faruk added.

President of the association of inland container depot owners Nurul Qayum Khan said 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 huge number of injured patients.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society volunteers are working with the hospital authorities to collect blood from the donors.

"It is not yet clear what caused the fire. But I think it started from a container. Arrangements are being made to ensure that the injured get the best treatment; we will bear all costs," BM Container Depot Director Mujibur Rahman told UNB.

"Those who have sustained injuries will get maximum compensation. Also, we will take responsibilities for all the victims' families," he added.

BM Container Depot, a Dutch-Bangladesh joint venture, was set up as an inland container depot (ICD) and operating since May, 2011. It is one of 19 such ICDs located in Chattogram. - UNB