2 sailors die, engineer critical as fishing vessel exploded in Karnaphuli River

Two sailors who suffered burn injuries in an explosion and fire on a fishing vessel anchored in the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram’s Sadarghat area have died, while a critically injured engineer is undergoing treatment.

The deceased were identified as Md Rubel, 32, and Shah Alam, 40, both greasers of the fishing vessel while engineer Ashikuzzaman Tamim is undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.

The deaths occurred yesterday evening (30 June) while the victims were on the way to Dhaka for advanced treatment. Doctors said Tamim’s condition is also critical as he suffered 100% burns. Captain of the vessel, Zubair Mahmud, confirmed the matter to The Business Standard this morning (1 July).

The deceased, Rubel was from Galachipa Upazila of Patuakhali. He was buried there after a Namaz-e-Janaza at 10am today (1 July) while Shah Alam was from Noakhali. He was also buried after a Namaz-e-Janaza at 8am.

The explosion took place at around 12:45pm yesterday on a fishing vessel named FV Desh, which was anchored in the Karnaphuli River, and a fire broke out soon afterwards.

The incident left FV Desh’s cadet engineer Tamim, sailors Rubel and Shah Alam, and Nizam Uddin, Md Russell and Siddiq Ahmed, sailors of the nearby anchored FV Disney, burnt.

After the accident, six people were admitted to the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

Of them, Ashikuzzaman, Rubel and Shah Alam, who suffered 100% burns, were sent to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

However, Rubel and Shah Alam died on the way.

Shawn Bin Rahman, resident physician at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, said Ashikuzzaman Tamim is undergoing treatment there and his condition is critical.

Meanwhile, Professor Mohammad S Khaled, head of the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, said Nizam Uddin, Md Russell and Siddiq Ahmed were discharged from the hospital this morning after receiving treatment as they suffered comparatively less severe burns.

Describing the accident while undergoing treatment, sailor Muhammad Nizam Uddin told TBS that they were sitting on the vessel and arranging fishing nets around 1pm.

At that time, a loud explosion occurred on the nearby FV Desh.

Within moments, flames and intense heat spread to their vessel as well.

Smoke spread all around and even the hair on their heads was burnt by the heat of the fire, he said.

He further said those who suffered the worst burns were working in the engine room at the time of the explosion.

There were engines, fuel oil, gas and oxygen cylinders there.

However, they could not say for sure what caused the explosion and fire.

The incident happened so quickly that before anyone could understand anything, they tried to get out of the vessel to save their lives.

Earlier, at around 10pm yesterday, Chattogram Medical College Hospital Director Brigadier General Mohammad Taslim Uddin told TBS that around 100% of the bodies of the three critically injured people had been burnt and their respiratory tracts were also severely damaged.

They had been sent to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka for advanced treatment, he said.

The three were identified as Muhammad Nizam Uddin, hoseman of the Disney fishing vessel, diver Md Russell and senior sailor Siddiq Ahmed. According to doctors, they are currently out of danger.