4 injured as fire breaks out on cargo vessel in Kirtankhola river

Four crew of a vessel sustained severe burn injuries after a fire broke out in the engine of a goods laden ship, MV Rasheda Rahima, on the Kirtankhola river in Barishal last evening.

The injured are Md Rubel, 25, Mohammad Manik, 30, Sompod, 22, and Manna, 24. All were resident of Hatiya upazila in Noakhali district.

The injured were later sent to Dhaka for advanced medical treatment.

Amjad, a crew member, said they were preparing to set sail for Hatiya with a cargo of 78 barrels of petrol, poultry feed, and other goods when the fire erupted.

"When we tried to start the engine, it suddenly caught fire. The flames spread quickly severely burning four of our members," he said.

Amjad and another staff member, Dulal, managed to save themselves by jumping into the river. The injured were initially rushed to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital before being transferred to Dhaka.

Md Sohel, an officer of Barishal Sadar River Police, confirmed the incident, saying, "Some of the injured suffered burns on their chests and arms. We immediately sent them to the hospital, and later they were moved to Dhaka for advanced care.

"The vessel has been secured. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire originated from engine malfunction."