At least one can blame load shedding due to shortage of fuel etc. caused by the Russo-Ukrainian war but not the many others that ail us. The media is full of reports, gossip and accusations about the  blazes, deaths and suffering and the bottom line remains the same. We are progressing but it’s full of juddering halts. Yet we have a great success to show off: Padma Bridge. Why did it happen when others are not working …?   The answer is probably simple. Everyone wanted it to work and so it did with all the hassles notwithstanding. No matter what the Opposition social media says, it’s a feat.  It worked because everyone knew of its worth including its trophy value in every aspect. And everyone knew it was the project of the decade and the PM’s personal pride and brand value was involved. And so all the corruption, negative imaging, suspect levels of efficiency was there but Padma Shetu emerged. But other projects are not high profile and that is the problem. The system is not delivering because that is no one’s bread to pick up. Also read: Probe body finds owners, monitoring authority responsible for Sitakunda depot fire Is 2022-23 a foul calendar ? The year has brought a rush of bad news at many levels.  Globally, the Russo-Ukrainian war has dominated and has caused many difficulties including uncertain food supply and fuel prices in many countries. Bangladesh is not in difficulties alone.  The difference is that, while the significant part is caused by global supply crisis, the role of local players, both rogue traders and the less than competent bureaucracy is threatening to become bigger than the war crisis. The administration simply was caught off  guard without its crisis preparation plans. And now there is more than a fair bit of floundering which doesn’t look like it will end soon.  Lack of preparation for the massive floods is an indicator. The Government is admitting this including words coming from ministerial mouths. But given that we have a Ministry which is devoted to disaster management and planning, the fact about not being prepared is worth even more serious concern. In an era of climate change, the long heat wave followed by floods is only to be expected but why we weren’t ready is not a mystery but a confirmation that we are not up to the task. Also read: Load shedding continues across the country  Load shedding and Sitakundu fireballs We have often heard we had made it in the electricity sector but now a serious crisis has hit us which apart from making life uncomfortable for many is about to hit us economically in a big way.  One of course hopes and wishes this is a false fear but the loopholes of the claims of the energy sector are peeping out rudely. Our energy sector is based far too much on imported oil and diesel, that it’s producing   more than demand but has weak performance as far distribution is concerned and so on. And that is why it needs several contingency plans to deal with an uncertain future which is part of our everyday life. Any signs that we understand this message are rather weak. And that is the problem. Perhaps the answer lies in the investigation report of the Sitakundu blaze which took so many lives. The report says that the fire was caused largely by chemicals lying unattended in conditions which were dangerous. They were not supposed to be stored in the open exposing it to heat and other elements. So after a point it did what nature wanted it to do : explode. The report shares the blame between the owners who stored it but also among the supervisors who were supposed to ensure it didn’t lie there waiting to explode. No one did their job. So the explosion, so the deaths, so the devastation were all inevitable. If everyone is combining together not to do their job, what chances do others have of a safe survival?

Dhaka, Jun 12 (UNB) –The death toll from BM Container Depot depot fire rose to 47 as another victim died at a private hospital in Chattogram on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Nurul Kader, 22, a staff of the depot of Bashkhali upazila. READ: Sitakunda fire: 8 BM Container Depot officials sued Nurul had been undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Parkview Hospital since June 4 where he succumbed to his injuries around 2 pm, said deputy general manager of the hospital Humayun Kabir.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed on Tuesday said legal action will be taken against those responsible for the BM Container Depot fire after receiving the probe reports. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police has been directed to collect all kinds of evidence from the spot, he told reporters after visiting the container depot in Sitakunda and the injured victims  at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital (CMCH). Also read: Container depot fire under control after 60 hours: Army Besides, two committees were formed to investigate the incident- one by the government and another by the fire service. CID experts were inducted in the both committees. He said workers were injured while working at the depot and firemen and police were injured during the rescue operation. Smoke is still billowing from some of the containers here.  So, the place is not safe yet, he said. “Hopefully we will be able finish the whole job with utmost care.” The deadly fire at BM Container Depot at Sitakunda was brought under control on Tuesday morning after over 60 hours, commanding officer of the 18th Brigade of the 24th Infantry Division Lt Col Ariful Islam told journalists around 11 am outside the depot. Meanwhile at 12 pm, parts of bodies were recovered from the debris, said Anisur Rahman, Deputy Assistant Director of Agrabad Fire Station. He said, “We are not counting the body parts as new bodies as they could be from earlier victims.” The district administration on Monday revised the death toll from Sitakund container depot fire to 41 down from the earlier confirmed figure of 50.  Also read: Sitakunda fire: Authorities lower death toll to 41 According to fire service sources, the container depot contained a large quantity of chemicals called 'hydrogen peroxide'. Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound and it acts like explosives at high temperature. The fire and subsequent blasts at the container depot left over 200 people wounded. Around 130 people are undergoing treatment at the burn unit of CMCH, said Anisur Rahman, deputy director of Fire Service and Civil Defense.

Home Minister Asaduzzman Kamal on Monday vowed to hold trial of those found responsible for the deadly fire and explosions at BM Container Depot at Sitakunda in Chattogram. “A probe has been ordered and justice will be ensured according to the law,” he said, adding the government does not indemnify anyone who commits crime. The home minister’s remarks came amid media reports that the depot had no license and permission to keep chemical containers, the suspected source of the disastrous fire. The containers full of hydrogen peroxide is suspected to have caused the inferno. Also read: Depot Fire: UN for joint efforts in addressing “safety deficits” in workplaces He was replying to questions from reporters after his visit to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital to see the condition of the injured people undergoing treatment there. He also visited the depot, the scene of Saturday night’s tragedy. Asaduzzaman said the authorities concerned are investigating how the fire occurred and if anybody’s negligence is found to be the reason that person will definitely be put on trial. “None will be spared, no matter how powerful one may be. No one is above the law and if anyone found involved in any negligence will be brought to justice,” said the minister. The death toll from the devastating fire reached 50 with the recovery of another body from a container of the depot in the morning, according to Fire Service authorities. Also read: Operation to douse Ctg depot fire continues; Death toll stands at 50 The huge fire also left more than and 200 people were injured, some of them in critical condition. The privately run container depot at Sonaichhari in Sitakunda of Chattogram is a joint venture of Bangladesh and the Netherlands.

The United Nations has said the tragic accident at the BM Container depot in Chattogram is reminder of the need to work together towards effective industrial and enterprise safety frameworks and their enforcement. The UN in Bangladesh on Monday called upon all parties involved to apply renewed vigor in addressing the safety deficits in workplaces across the country. Also read: Ctg depot fire: DNA samples collection begin to identify deceased The UN said they extend their assistance to continue to build a safer Bangladesh for all. “We’re shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of lives and destructions caused by the devastating fire and blast at the BM Container depot in Chattogram,” said the UN in a statement issued by office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh. The UNRC office conveyed their deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased including nine firefighters and the hundreds who are injured. Also read: ‘Pray for me,’ fireman Shakil’s last words to mother