At least three people were burned to death as fire broke out following an explosion in a petroleum-carrying vessel in the Karnaphuli River at Patenga in Chattogram.
The deceased were identified as deck cadet Sourav Kumar Saha, BSC foreman Nurul Islam and labourer Md Harun.
The explosion was brought under control on Monday noon. The fire started after an explosion took place in the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) vessel, ‘Banglar Jyoti’ while it docked at the Dolphin Jetty of the Eastern Refinery.
Md. Kafil Uddin, an officer from the Fire Service's Agrabad control room, said that eight units from Agrabad, Bandar, Karnaphuli EPZ, and CEPZ stations were sent to the spot and recovered two charred bodies.
Coast Guard, Navy, and the Eastern Refinery’s firefighting teams also joined with the fire service members.
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.
Local people said they saw thick black smoke billowing into the sky, which caused panic in the surrounding area.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation formed a seven-member committee to investigate the incident.
