Navy Conducts Major Fire Rescue Operations on Two BSC Vessels

In the span of one week, the Bangladesh Navy carried out two critical fire rescue operations on Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) vessels in the port city of Chittagong.

The first incident occurred Friday night when a significant fire broke out aboard the BSC oil tanker “MT Banglar Saurabh” in the outer harbor of Chittagong Port.

After four hours of rigorous firefighting, three specialized tugboats from the Navy, along with assistance from four Coast Guard vessels and port authority tugboats, managed to bring the fire under control.

Of the 48 crew members on board, 47 were safely evacuated. Sadly, one individual lost their life, and several others sustained injuries, receiving medical treatment at Navy Hospital BNS Patenga.

This event came shortly after another serious incident just five days earlier, when an explosion occurred on another BSC-owned vessel, “MT Banglar Jyoti,” at Dock No. 7, claiming the lives of three crew members.

Upon receiving reports of the fire, firefighting teams from the Navy, Coast Guard, Chittagong Port, and Fire Service quickly mobilized to the scene, responding with specialized equipment to combat the blaze.

High-ranking Navy officials led the firefighting efforts on the ground.

Their rapid and coordinated response, along with assistance from the Coast Guard, Fire Service, Chittagong Port, and BSC, helped contain the fire swiftly and rescue the remaining crew members.

Officials noted that these timely actions not only averted a more significant loss of life but also prevented potential environmental damage from the spread of crude oil, which could have posed a severe threat to the Karnaphuli River and the Bay of Bengal’s ecosystems.

In addition to avoiding an environmental crisis, the operation also helped to prevent economic disruptions, particularly those that might have impacted operations at the country’s primary commercial port.

The successful handling of these emergencies is attributed to the strategic deployment of skilled Navy officers, whose leadership ensured a well-executed and efficient response that minimized the damage and saved lives.

Image credit: Dhaka Tribune