At least four crew members have lost their lives following a fire caused by an explosion on the Banglar Jyoti, a petroleum-carrying tanker, at Chattogram port in Bangladesh.
According to local news, the incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. local time on 30 September while the ship was docked. Reports indicate that a ship cadet and three technicians were on board, and the intensity of the blast suggests they likely had no chance of survival. Fire officials stated that the fire erupted on the upper deck during repair work, prompting a swift response from fire brigade units.
The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), which owns the vessel, confirmed that three crew members are still unaccounted for, while the identities of those presumed dead have not yet been confirmed.
Fire Service officials dispatched eight units from various local stations to combat the blaze, which took approximately an hour and a half to control. The bow of the ship sustained significant damage, leading to the evacuation of nearby vessels for safety reasons.
Local residents reported seeing thick black smoke rising into the sky, causing panic in the area. In addition to local fire services, the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard have been involved in the response efforts, and two pilots were sent to the vessel to assist in extinguishing the fire and relocating it to a safer area.
