The fire at the BM Container Depot at Sitakunda in Chattogram had not been brought under control even after more than 24 hours passed since the fire broke out on Saturday night.
Confirming the fact, Feni Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Purna Chandra Mutsuddi said on Sunday evening that the chemical fire at the container depot was yet to be brought under control.
The death toll from the massive fire rose to 49 by Sunday afternoon. Dozens are still missing including three fire service staff.
Elias Chowdhury, regional chief doctor, told AFP that the number of dead was 49 but would increase. Firefighters continued to douse pockets of fire with hoses on Sunday.
"The death toll will rise as the rescue work has not been completed yet," Chowdhury said.
The charred bodies of 36 fire victims of the fire tragedy at BM Container Depot in Chattogram's Sitakunda could not be identified by the family members, said Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mominur Rahman.
At a press conference held at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) Sunday evening, the DC said that only 13 bodies have been identified so far, which have been handed over to relatives, and that DNA samples will be collected Monday to find the identities of the 36 victims.
So far, nine firefighters have perished in the incident, according to the Media Cell of the Fire Service and Civil Defence.
‘The death toll from the fire climbed to 43 and there were seven fire service members among the deceased,” said Anisur Rahman, deputy director of Fire Service and Civil Defense, while briefing reporters at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital over the deadly fire incident, reports UNB.
Earlier, FSCD Assistant Director Farooq Siddiqui said 33 bodies were so far recovered from the spot.
More than 300 injured people, of whom, many received burn injuries, are undergoing treatment in different hospitals in Chattogram, hospital sources said.
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However, the actual number of injured people could not be verified independently.
Asharf Uddin, divisional commissioner of Chattogram, told newsmen that the families of the deceased persons are being given Tk 50,000 by the DC office while Tk 20,000 to the families of the injured people.
A team of army personnel reached the depot to help bring the fire under control, he said.
ALSO READ: PM condoles death in Chattogram depot fire
Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Alauddin Talukder of CMCH police outpost said 32 bodies have been brought to the hospital.
"Among the deceased, six are fire service personnel," he said.
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ASI Talukder said 28 bodies were kept in the CMCH morgue.
The fire originated at the depot at about 9:35pm last night.
Police and fire service personnel are trying to douse the flames and rescuing people and sending them to hospitals.
BM Container Depot Ltd is a Netherlands-Bangladesh joint venture, according to the police and officials of the depot.
Faruk Hossain Sikdar, assistant director of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, said that at least 20 units of the fire service were dispatched to the place of occurrence.
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The blaze was not brought under control yet in spite of nine hours hectic efforts.
The fire service and civil defence personnel were unable to make headway despite multiple attempts were in place since this morning due to fire that is being sometimes fuelled by Hydrogen peroxide, sources said.
High government officials including CMP commissioner and divisional commissioner visited the CMCH.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock and sorrow at the loss of lives and injuries in the BM Container depot fire.
