A fire broke out in the coal cargo of a seized cargo vessel in the river at Sharankhola upazila in Bagerhat district. The incident is reported to have started late Tuesday night (November 11).
Incident Details
According to local sources and eyewitnesses, a cargo vessel, seized on charges of illegal sand dredging in the Pashur River at Sharankhola, was carrying a large stockpile of coal. A sudden fire was noticed in the coal pile, which quickly spread, causing panic in the surrounding area.Upon receiving the alert, a unit from the Sharankhola Fire Service rushed to the scene. Firefighters have laid water lines and are attempting to control the flames. However, as the fire has penetrated deep into the coal stack, extinguishing it is expected to take considerable time.
Investigation and Next Steps
Officials from the local administration and the River Police have inspected the site. Preliminary suspicions point to an electrical short circuit or negligence as a possible cause of the fire. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact reason.Authorities are also looking into the ownership of the vessel and the intended destination of the coal shipment. A final decision regarding the vessel and its cargo will be made following the completion of legal procedures, according to sources.