9-Member Committee Formed to Investigate LPG Vessel Fire at Kutubdia

The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has formed a nine-member committee to investigate the fire that broke out on two ships carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at Kutubdia Point in the Bay of Bengal of Cox's Bazar early Sunday.

Managing Director of Chittagong Port Authority formed the investigation committee to finding out the causes of the massive fire on ‘Sofia’ and ‘Captain Nicholas’ vessels at the directives of Shipping and, Textile and Jute Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, shipping ministry sources said. 

The committee, headed by Chittagong Port Authority's member (Harbour and Marine) Commodore M Fazlar Rahman, has been asked to submit its reports within the next five working days. The committee includes representatives from Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Cost Guard, Fire Service and Civil Defence, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI) and Department of Shipping along with other organizations.

Upon receiving the information, the adviser also directed all concerned to take necessary measures to control the blaze and rescue crew members immediately. According to the shipping ministry, Coast Guard tugboat rushed there and rescued all 31 crew members alive.  Shipping adviser M Sakhawat Hossain has been monitoring the fire incident round the clock. He also expressed deep shock about recent fires on ships and asked authorities to keep the highest level of alert.

The adviser also instructed all concerned to ensure additional security arrangement for all ships. The shipping ministry said a lighter ship ‘Sofia’ and mother vessel ‘Captain Nicholas’ caught fire at the outer anchorage of the Bay of Bengal, west of Kutubdia, at around 12:55am. It said mother vessel ‘Captain Nicholas’ caught fire on its deck while it transferring LPG to lighter vessel Sofia last night. Later, the fire broke out at lighter vessel ‘Sofia’.