Fire at Bangladesh Container Depot kills 40, injures over 450

Dhaka: officials have said today that the fire that broke out at Bangladesh's Chittagong shipping container depot has claimed the lives of at least 40 people and injured over 450. Authorities fear that the death toll may increase as search for bodies and people progress.

"So far 40 dead bodies reached the morgue here," a police officer stationed at the state-run Chattagram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) was quoted as saying to PTI.

The preliminary investigation showed that the fire started as a result of a chemical reaction, according to Nurul Alam, the police officer posted at Chittagong Medical College Hospital's police outpost.

Local media have reported that the fire started after an explosion.

However, the police officer said that the fire broke out at around 9 pm, and spread rapidly after an explosion that happened at midnight.

NDTV reported that Istakul Islam, chief of Health and Service Department at Red Crescent Youth Chittagong, said, "Over 450 people have been injured in this incident. The death count could be more," he said.

Sources have said that the intensity of the explosion was such that window panes of nearby house were shattered.

Chittagong Fire Service and Civil Defense Assistant Director Md Faruk Hossain Sikdar said: "Around 19 firefighting units are working to douse the fire and six ambulances are also available on the spot."

The container depot has been operating since May 2011.