UPDATE 2 - Death toll from devastating Bangladesh fire rises to 49

UPDATES DEATH TOLL, ADDS MORE DETAILS

By Md. Kamruzzaman

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - At least 49 people died and more than 300 others were injured as a devastating fire in Bangladesh's southern port city of Chattogram has continued to burn for nearly 24 hours, an official said on Sunday.

"We have a record of 49 deaths till now and more than 300 injuries. Of them, the condition of some is very critical. We have already shifted some patients to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while some others to capital Dhaka by the military helicopter for better treatment," Brig. Gen. Md. Shamim Ahsan, director of Chattogram Medical College Hospital, told Anadolu Agency about the fire in a container depot at the port.

Among the people killed also included nine firefighters who rushed to the scene and took part in the rescue operations, Brig. Gen. Md Main Uddin, director general of the fire service department, told Anadolu Agency.

Dozens of firefighters and police officers were also reportedly injured during the rescue operation.

Some local media outlets reported that more than 400 people have been injured in the incident.

A total of 25 firefighters and civil defense units worked to douse the blaze since Saturday night while 250 members of the Bangladesh army also joined them in the rescue operation on Sunday.

The fire erupted at around 11.00 p.m. local time (1700GMT) in the city's Sitakunda area.

Eyewitnesses and rescue workers said the flames started in a container and rapidly spread to others in the depot that contains more than 1,000 containers.

Many senior officials, including the city's mayor, have visited the site and vowed to uncover what caused the fire.

The authorities said, however, that the deadly conflagration had caused huge economic losses as it gutted many containers laden with chemicals and other materials in the South Asian nation's main exporting sector of the readymade garments industry.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen have expressed their condolences over the loss of lives.

Hasina assured compensation to the families of the dead and asked all concerned authorities to provide due treatment to the injured at the utmost priority.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan government expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the tragic incident in Bangladesh.

"Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives due to fire at a container facility in Bangladesh. Profound condolences to the families of the victims, the government, and the brotherly people of Bangladesh. We pray for quick recovery of the injured," Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Twitter.