6 injured in fishing vessel explosion on Karnaphuli River

Six crew members 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 yesterday (30 June).

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

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

Brigadier General Mohammad Taslim Uddin, director of Chattogram Medical College Hospital, told TBS that three of the injured victims had sustained burns to nearly 100% of their bodies.

"Their airways were also severely damaged. They have been transferred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka for advanced treatment.

"The condition of the other three victims is stable, and they are receiving treatment at the burn unit of Chattogram Medical College Hospital," he said.

Those currently being treated at the hospital's burn unit are Nizam Uddin, Md Russell and Siddiq Ahmed. According to doctors, they are now out of danger.

Meanwhile, Shah Alam, Ashikuzzaman Tamim, and Nobel have been sent to Dhaka for specialised treatment.

Chattogram Naval Police Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman said a loud explosion occurred in the vessel's engine room, triggering a fire that left the six crew members with burn injuries.

"The injured were rescued and taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment," he said.

Authorities said an investigation has been launched to ascertain what caused the blast and assess the extent of the damage to the vessel.