Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has warned of stern action if proof of negligence is found against anyone in the BM Container Depot fire in Chittagong’s Sitakunda.
“No matter how powerful they are, strict action will be taken against them,” he said after visiting the victims of the deadly explosion at Chittagong Medical College Hospital on Monday.
“The whole incident is being investigated. If the depot owners are found to have been negligent, action will be taken after the committees tasked with probing the incident file their report,” he added.
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The minister further said: “Unofficially, 49 people were killed in the blaze. But after we came here, we officially learned that 41 bodies had been found. We will make sure that as many bodies as possible are found after the investigation.
“The dead included 12 firefighters, while several others were injured. They are being treated at Dhaka and Chittagong Medical College Hospitals.”
Asaduzzaman Khan requested everyone not to rush to the hospitals as this might disrupt the medical services being provided to patients.
Undated photo found on the internet shows Home Minister Asaduzzaman KhanResponding to a question from reporters, he said: "Whether the death toll is 41 or 49, will be adjusted later. You can say 41 so far officially and 49 unofficially.”
Earlier, the home minister visited the BM Container Depot at Sitakunda around 2pm.
He was accompanied by Chittagong Range DIG Anwar Hossain, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Saleh Mohammad Tanvir, Chittagong District Superintendent of Police SM Rashidul Haque and other senior law enforcement officials.
