Dhaka, Oct 13 (UNI) After an explosion off Bangladesh's Chittagong Port in the Bay of Bengal early on Sunday, a moored lighter vessel transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) caught fire, according to officials.
As of now, no casualties have been recorded, Dhaka Tribune said.
The incident which happened near Kutubdia Point was confirmed by acting Kutubdia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sub-Divisional Executive Officer) Muhammad Shahadat Hossain, who stated that the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard had been notified.
According to the naval authorities, in the meantime, navy officers were working to free the imprisoned crew members and other employees from the ship.
To extinguish the fire, the Coast Guard and Chittagong Port boats also assisted the navy.
Around 1 am, according to locals, an explosion occurred near the outside anchorage of the Chittagong Port, setting the "B-LPG Sofia" vessel on fire.
According to the divisional Fire Service control room in Chittagong, an Indonesian chief officer was onboard the vessel.
It was unable to determine how the fire began. UNI AKS SSP