An explosion and fire broke out at a private ICD BM container depot in the Shitalpur area of Sitakunda in Chattogram on Saturday night (4 June). After the incident, Rear Admiral M Shahjahan, Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority, Member (Harbour and Marine) Commodore Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, Director (Security) Lt. Colonel Mostafa Arif-ur-Rahman Khan, Director (Transport) Enamul Karim, and other senior officials of the port visited the spot where the fire broke out.
During the visit, the Chairman of the port inspected all other security measures including BM container depot fire fighting. He gave instructions to keep the other intact containers in a separate zone, away from the side of the damaged container. As there is a shortage of operators at the BM container depot at the moment, he instructed BICDA to provide operators from other depots for moving the intact containers to safer places.
If there is a shortage of equipment in the depot, he instructed the concerned to send equipment from Chittagong port and provide overall assistance. He also requested the police and RAB to ensure overall security in the area.
The Chairman of Chittagong port conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families of the victims and requested the concerned authorities to provide speedy treatment to the injured.
A three-member inquiry committee has been set up comprising the Deputy Director (Security) of the port and a representative of customs by convening the Terminal Manager of Chittagong port to investigate the incident. The committee has been directed to submit its report within the next seven days.
