Fire in Bangladesh container depot, at least 5 dead, 100 injured

Rescue workers take the victim to the hospital – Photo: AFP

The fire broke out at a container depot about 40km from the Chittagong seaport near midnight 4-6.

Multiple fire units rushed to the scene to put out the fire when a huge explosion rocked the warehouse and injured many people, including firefighters.

According to AFP news agency, at least five people were killed and about 100 injured. Of them, 20 are in critical condition with 60-90% burns.

As of the morning of June 5, firefighters were still trying to control the fire, while local hospitals, including a military hospital, were treating the injured.

According to Ruhul Amin Sikder, a spokesman for the Bangladesh Land Container Warehousing Association (BICA), some containers at this private warehouse contain chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide.

According to Mr. Mujibur Rahman, director of the warehouse where the incident occurred, the cause of the fire is unknown. This facility is employing about 600 workers.

In 2020, three workers were killed after an oil barrel exploded in a container depot in the neighboring Patenga area.

Bangladesh has about 19 private container depots, handling a large amount of import and export goods.