'Huge Negligence' behind Sitakunda Depot Blast: State Min

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said those operating the BM container depot at Sitakunda in Chittagong were found to be negligent.

He said it was initially thought that the monitoring team was negligent in the incident. After receiving the investigation report, the ministry will take action in this regard.

He told reporters at noon on Sunday (June 5).

The state minister said a three-member inquiry committee has been formed by the port to look into the Sitakunda fire incident. They have been asked to report within the next three days. Port authorities have been asked to report to us. After receiving that investigation report, we will discuss whether a high-level investigation committee consisting of NBR and the Ministry of Shipping can be formed.

"I personally think the inclusion of the NBR in this inquiry committee is more important," he said. What kind of products come and go here, but we just handle. Here the declaration has to be given to the customs - I am bringing or sending such product. This we will find out later.

He added that the goods that are dangerous here, whether they have declared it or not. If so, there is a need to take a separate measure and whether there are such private container depots that have the necessary preparations and manpower. If so, why didn't they work? Of course, these are supposed to exist, otherwise, they will not be approved. So why didn't they work, there were so many casualties. These will come out of our investigation.

Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said, at this moment it is not possible to say exactly what happened here, who is responsible. The investigation report can be said after receiving and then we will take action.

He said that if the authorities had taken proper action, such a large number of accidents would not have occurred. If they follow these two policies and codes, there is no reason for such an accident to happen.

Regarding whether there will be a case in this incident, the state minister for shipping said, "Let the investigation report come, so many people have died, there will be a case."