• Bangladesh: 35 Killed, over 450 injured in fire at chemical container depot

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    Bangladesh: 35 Killed, over 450 injured in fire at chemical container depot

    The fire reportedly started at around 9 p.m., and the explosion occurred at midnight. The flames quickly spread after the explosion. mso-themecolor:text1">


    Digital Desk: At least 35 people were killed and several
    injured after a huge fire broke out at a depot in Bangladesh's Chittagong.



    mso-themecolor:text1">According to reports, the fire that broke out yesterday
    at the depot in the Sitakunda area has left about 450 people injured, and
    authorities fear the death count may climb.



    mso-themecolor:text1">According to news agency PTI, a police officer stationed
    at the state-run Chattagram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) said, "So far,
    35 dead bodies have entered the mortuary here."



    mso-themecolor:text1">Police officer Nurul Alam, who is stationed at the
    Chittagong Medical College Hospital's police outpost, informed that the fire
    started due to a chemical reaction.



    mso-themecolor:text1">Reports further claimed that an explosion caused the fire
    to spread.



    mso-themecolor:text1">The fire reportedly started at around 9 p.m., and the
    explosion occurred at midnight. The flames quickly spread after the explosion.



    mso-themecolor:text1">Istakul Islam, the chief of the Red Crescent Youth
    Chittagong's Health and Service Department, said, "This incident has resulted
    in the injuries of over 450 persons. Unfortunately, the death toll may
    rise."



    mso-themecolor:text1">Reports further claimed that the explosion was so
    powerful that it shattered window panes in surrounding residences.



    mso-themecolor:text1">"Around 19 firefighting units are working to douse the
    fire, and around six ambulances are also available on the location."
    Chittagong Fire Service and Civil Defense Assistant Director Md Faruk Hossain
    Sikdar said.



    mso-themecolor:text1">It may be mentioned that the container depot has been
    operating since May 2011.

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