Losses from BM depot fire Tk213cr in export goods: Probe body
The facility resumed handling empty containers on 30 August last year, after two and half months of closure
Export goods worth Tk213 crore were destroyed in the fire that ravaged BM Container Depot in Chattogram's Sitakunda upazila, estimates a probe committee of the Chattogram Customs House.
"The final report will be submitted to the Commissioner of Chattogram Customs House and the National Board of Revenue within the next two weeks," said Barrister Badruzzaman Munshi, deputy commissioner of Chattogram Customs.
The export goods kept at the depot have been categorised as damaged, partially damaged, and intact in the report, he added.
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Barrister Badruzzaman Munshi said the Customs House had formed a committee to assess the damage in the fire accident at the BM Container Depot. In the draft report, the committee listed the affected export products and fixed a loss of Tk213 crore. In the final report, the amount may be a little more or less.
"This investigation report will help affected exporters get financial assistance in various sectors, including insurance," he added.
Member of the probe committee, Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association General Secretary Ruhul Amin Shikder Biplab said, "We have prepared a draft report after conducting an on-site investigation of the export cargoes that were damaged in the BM depot fire. There is evidence of damage to export goods worth Tk200-250 crore."
At least 51 people lost their lives and more than 200 suffered injuries in the fire in the depot caused by the hydrogen peroxide explosion on 4 June 2022.
According to the company's website, the chairman and managing director (MD) of BM container depot are Bert Pronk and Mostafizur Rahman respectively while Mujibur Rahman, brother of Mostafizur, also the MD of Smart Jeans, is the director of the depot.
According to the latest information, among the 35 lakh shares of BM depot, Managing Director Mostafizur Rahman holds 1.38 lakh shares while Director Mujibur Rahman holds 15,000 shares and Smart Jeans holds 18.36 lakh shares.
Besides, M/S Pronk Participate of Netherlands holds 15.11 lakh shares. However, the Netherlands Company transferred its 1.86 lakh shares to Smart Jeans in 2017.
The Chattogram Customs stopped all activities of the depot on 5 June last year, the day after the accident. The facility resumed handling empty containers on 30 August last year, after two and half months of closure.
