“Even if his hand is gone, glad that my husband is still alive”: Depot fire survivor’s wife

A fire broke out at BM Container Depot in Chattogram on June 4, leading to the deaths of 49 people, while more than 200 people, including police and fire service personnel, sustained burn injuries.

Sanjoy Kumar Barua

Sanjoy Kumar Barua

The Daily Star

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June 6, 2022

DHAKA – My husband is at least alive, even if his left hand has been amputated. It means a lot to me that he is still alive,” said Nazneen Nahar, wife of Nurul Afsar, who sustained burn injuries in the fire and subsequent explosions at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram on Saturday night (June 4, 2022).

Nurul Afsar is now undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH).

While visiting the CMCH last evening (June 5, 2022), this correspondent found that Nurul Afsar’s left hand had been amputated. He was lying unconsciously on a hospital bed while Nazneen was taking care of him.

Nazneen told The Daily Star that Nurul Afsar is the deputy general manager (DGM) of the BM Container Depot, and that her husband has been working at the depot since 2013.

He said Nurul suffered burn injuries in the fire while he was on duty at the depot on Saturday night. He was rescued and later taken to the CMCH. She added that doctors yesterday decided to amputate his left arm.

A fire broke out at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram on Saturday night, which led to subsequent explosions, leading to the deaths of 49 people, while more than 200 people, including police and fire service personnel, sustained burn injuries.

Only 13 bodies have been identified so far, which have been handed over to relatives.

The charred bodies of 36 fire victims of the fire tragedy at BM Container Depot in Chattogram’s Sitakunda could not be identified by the family members.

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