On Saturday, 4th of March, a deadly fire broke out succeeding with a severe explosion in the hearts of Bangladesh in Chittagong, leaving 6 people lifeless and several harmed.
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On 4th March, six people lost their lives and number of people got injured in a tragic blast at an oxygen plant in southeastern Bangladesh. The blast occurred around 4:30 pm, as per the report. The reports further say that the death toll is expected to rise as the search operation is in process.
The authorities said that the fire which was succeeded by a blast broke out at the oxygen mill in Sitakunda which is 140 km from Chittagong. Nine sections of the fire station hurried to the spot and managed to put off the fire, thereby bringing the situation under control.
Massive Explosion shook Ground Zero
Meanwhile the cause behind the blast is still not clarified, nine sections of the fire station are presently slogging at the spot to extinguish the fire. The machinery named Sheema Oxygen Plant is near to the Dhaka-Chittagong bypass and the blast occurred at around 4:30 pm on Saturday.
The area has suffered severe and deadly tragedies in the past. The previous year, a huge blast broke out at a container depot in the location that put almost 4 people to death and left several wounded. The fatalities of this weekend explosion were confirmed by the senior most official of the fire station. The authorities stated that the number of deaths may rise in the coming hours. The rescue operation is still in process.
Cause is yet to be ascertained
A senior official of the fire station said, “The reason of the blast is unknown. Through rigorous search operations and impeccable efforts put in by the forensic team, the cause will be crystal clear sooner.”
The outburst of the explosion was reportedly heard up to a few kilometers away from ground zero. The natives reported that a loud noise was heard, after which the blaze broke out at around 4:30 pm.
Senior officials of the Fire Station said that nine sections were mobilized to put off the blaze and the exact cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained. A video clip showed the Bangladesh Army joining the firefighters in the search and rescue operations.
Turmoil erupted in adjoining areas of Bangladesh
According to the locals, the blast juddered the entire area of three square kilometers. The explosion had enveloped the nearby areas as well in thick dark smoke, as per the reports.
Among the people who had met tragic loss, one of them, identified as Shamshul, was killed when a massive chunk of iron fell on him with force from the machinery resulting in ample blood loss leading to his death. He had a shop in Kadam Rasul Market.
Assistance being promised and Way forward
Foreign diplomats have promised assistance and relief to the government of Bangladesh. Rescue operations and medical teams will be sent by the armed forces of various neighboring nations for assistance and treatment of the people injured severely in the blast.
As far as previous accidents are concerned, the latest blast that shook entire southern Bangladesh may also have been caused due to human negligence. Dhaka should run tests and thorough investigation to find the root cause of the explosion.
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