The death toll in a fire that broke out on a petroleum-carrying tanker following by an explosion, has risen to three as another body was recovered in Chattogram port on Monday.
The victims were identified as Nurul Islam, the chargeman at BSC Marine Workshop; Md Harun, a day labourer at BSC from Kishoreganj; and Saurabh Kumar Saha, an ex-cadet at Barishal Marine Academy from Jhenidah.
The fire broke out around 11:00 AM on Monday, following an explosion on the tanker, named "MT Banglar Jyoti, which was anchored at Dolphin Oil Jetty in front of Eastern Refinery in Patenga area for unloading fuel oil. The tanker had transported oil from a larger tanker anchored offshore to the jetty for Eastern Refinery.
However, the blaze was brought under control by around 2:30 PM.
Chattogram Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Muhammad Abdullah said, "We have recovered two bodies so far and the bodies have been handed over to Coast Guard and Navy."
Port Secretary Omar Faruk said that being informed around 11.00 AM, they have sent port assistance vessels to control the fire. Ensuring no issues in the port channel, he added the situation is now under control.
AKM Naeemullah, Deputy General Manager (Inspection and Safety) of Eastern Refinery Limited, said that the fire broke out in Banglar Jyoti, a ship docked at the Dolphin Jetty of the Eastern Refinery.
Banglar Jyoti is an old tanker owned by the BSC. It typically transports crude oil from mother tankers anchored offshore to the Eastern Refinery.
Agrabad Fire Service Control Room sources said that upon receiving news, eight units from the Port, EPZ, and KEPZ stations rushed there and began firefighting efforts. Later, members of Coast Guard and Navy also joined the firefighting efforts.
However, it is not yet known whether there was fuel on the tanker at the time of incident and what caused the fire.
Fuel tanker catches fire at Ctg port, 2 bodies recovered
