Gas accumulation caused explosion on MV Jyoti: Probe report

The severe explosion on the vessel MT Banglar Jyoti at Chattogram port on Monday, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals, may have been caused by the accumulation of flammable gas in the forepeak tank, according to an investigation conducted by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).

The forepeak tank, located at the front of the ship, serves as a storage area for ropes, anchors, and spare parts. It was here that the blast occurred, causing extensive damage to the front of the vessel.

The BPC's seven-member committee, which submitted its findings the same day as the accident, reported that the vessel's cargo remained unaffected despite the fire. 

The explosion killed Deck Cadet Saurabh Kumar Saha, BSC Foreman Nurul Islam, and worker Md Harun. The victims were near the forepeak store at the time of the blast. The accident took place shortly after approximately 800 tonnes of crude oil had been transferred from the ship.

Footage captured by the Eastern Refinery Limited's CCTV showed a large explosion at 10:54am, prompting an immediate response from the Fire Service and Civil Defence, Chattogram Port Authority, Bangladesh Coast Guard, and other agencies.

The fire was brought under control within 90 minutes, around 12:30pm.

The report revealed that 10,916 tonnes of crude oil remained on board but was not impacted by the fire. The committee noted that if the fire had spread to the cargo tank, the damage could have been catastrophic.

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek, in a press conference on Monday afternoon, said that the explosion likely resulted from gas accumulation while crew members were adjusting ropes.

However, further investigation is needed to confirm this. He added that the BSC has formed a separate technical committee to determine the exact cause of the incident, assess the damage, and ensure the safety of the remaining lighter vessels.

The committee also made several recommendations, including the urgent modernisation of firefighting systems at the jetties and the swift appointment of an Operation and Maintenance (O&M) contractor for safe crude oil discharge.

It also suggested determining whether MT Banglar Jyoti could continue operations until the O&M contractor is in place.

A second committee, headed by BSC Executive Director (Technology) Mohammad Yusuf, has been formed to identify the root cause of the explosion and prevent future incidents. Additionally, a five-member team is addressing the burial arrangements, compensation, and support for the victims' families.

The Department of Explosives will carry out further inspections to ensure the vessel's safety, focusing on the clearance of the remaining crude oil.

If the ship is deemed safe, the discharge of the remaining cargo, expected to take about 22 hours, will proceed. After the cargo is offloaded, the ship will be moved for repairs and overhaul.

BSC's lighter vessels MT Banglar Jyoti and MT Banglar Sourav, both built in 1987, have been operational for 37 years. Due to the lack of immediate replacements, they have been maintained through regular repairs to continue service.