Bangla oil tanker catches fire

Dhaka, June 24 (UNI) An oil tanker of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation caught fire and burst into flames at the outer anchorage of Bangladesh's southeastern Chittagong Seaport today.

Chief Officer of the ill-fated ship Johirul Islam sustained severe burn injuries in the explosion. He was admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

Witnesses said the explosion took place following an electric spark in the machine room of the MT Banglar Sourav at 1200 hrs (local time) while the technicians were conducting welding works in the room.

"With the big-bang explosion, the entire ship with 47 crew on board caught fire and split into two," a crew of the ship said.

Two salvage ships named Kandari-10 and Dishari-7 rushed in and rescued all the crew, who jumped into the sea from the burning ship.

The rescuers were able to control the flame after two and half a hours of frantic effort.

Two of the rescue workers went missing during the rescue operation.

The Port Authority said there is hardly any chance of rescuing the ship as it was gradually sinking.

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