A worker was killed after an oil tanker exploded on the Karnaphuli riverbank in Chittagong.
Several others were also injured, while another man went missing following the incident that took place at Ward 2 of Charpatharghata on the south bank of the river around 5pm on Wednesday.
The deceased identified as Md Jisan, from Patiya upazila’s Gorillartek area, was a sailor of the aforementioned marine vessel.
The missing person identified as Nazrul Islam Saddam, from the same upazila’s Charlakshya area, was one of the workers repairing the ship at the time.
According to sources, the explosion occurred during wielding work in the engine room of the tanker, prompting the workers to jump into the Karnaphuli River to save themselves from the fire.
Subsequently, the injured workers were admitted to the burn unit of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH).
“A man named Jisan was brought to the hospital around 7:45pm on Wednesday. He died at around 8pm while undergoing treatment at the burn unit of the hospital,” said CMCH police outpost Sub-Inspector Nurul Alam Ashek.
“The body of the deceased has been kept in the morgue of the hospital for autopsy,” he added.
“The conditions of some of the workers are critical,” he also added.
Sadarghat naval police station sub-inspector Abul Kalam said: “As we were informed of the incident a little late when we sent police to the spot, we found the ship was moved by the company concerned.
“The name of the ship and the identities of the injured could not be ascertained immediately. We are still inquiring about the ship as well as those who were injured.”
Legal action will be taken in this regard, he added.
