Bangladesh
Sitakunda Fire Firefighters who were killed while dousing Sitakunda container depot fire
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, June 6: Moniruzzaman, Alauddin and Rana Mia — all three firefighters were killed in a massive explosion while trying to extinguish the fire at Sitakunda container depot. According to the latest updates, at least 12 firemen lost their lives while trying to put out the fire.
Other firefighters who were also killed in the incident have been identified as Shakil Tarafdar, Mithu Dewan, Nipun Chakma, Ramjanul Islam and Salauddin Quader Chowdhury. The identity of another killed fireman is still unknown.
It is learned that four more firemen engaged in the firefighting operation are still missing. They are- Imran Hossain Majumder, Shafiul Islam, Rabiul Islam and Fariduzzaman.
Just a week ago, firefighter Moniruzzaman became the father of a daughter. But he could not go home as he did not get leave. He was supposed to go home next week. But in the meantime he went to perform his duty and made the supreme sacrifice.
Moniruzzaman's burnt body was recovered by his colleagues on Sunday (June 5) morning. Another killed firefighter Alauddin's house is in Ward 2 of Mohammadpur Union in Chatkhil upazila of Noakhali. He was an employee of Kumira Fire Service in Sitakunda. He died while trying to put out the fire. He has a 3-year-old son.
At least 49 people have been killed so far in an explosion at a container depot in Sitakunda. Nine firefighters, who rushed to the scene to put out the fire as soon as they got the news in the dark of night, are among the deceased. They sacrificed their own lives while battling to save other lives. Three firemen are still missing. Officials said 14 injured firefighters were taken to CMH and two others were airlifted to Dhaka.
Colleagues said Moniruzzaman and Alauddin along with another team of fire service reached the spot and started extinguishing the fire as soon as they got the news of the fire at the BM Container Depot in Sitakunda. But none of them knew that horrible combustible substance were in the container. No one even told them about it. As a result, firefighters were killed in a horrific explosion while extinguishing a fire near a container.
Meanwhile, fireman Rana Mia (22) also lost his life while trying to extinguish the fire at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda. Although his mother Renu Begum and younger brother Sajedul Mia still do not know the story of his supreme sacrifice.
