6 sailors burned in Karnaphuli vessel blast

Six crew members have sustained burn injuries after an explosion in the engine room of a fishing vessel triggered a fire while it was anchored on the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram on Tuesday.

The incident occurred around 12:45pm on the “FV Desh Fishing”, which was moored at the Sampan Ghat under Sadarghat Police Station after returning from the sea.

The injured were identified as cadet engineer Ashiquzzaman Tamim, greaser Rubel, deck crew member Shah Alam, winch operator Nizam Uddin, diver Russell and sailor Siddiq Ahmed.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chattogram Naval Police Mizanur Rahman said a loud explosion occurred in the vessel’s engine room, after which a fire broke out, leaving six crew members with burn injuries.

The injured were taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Authorities said the exact cause of the explosion and fire, as well as the extent of the damage, will be determined after an investigation.