Bangladesh port depot fire: Death toll rises to at least 49, over 300 injured

The death toll has reached 49 in a fire that broke out at a shipping container depot in Bangladesh's Chittagong on Saturday evening, and more than 300 have suffered injuries, officials said on Sunday. 

The list of people who were injured includes 40 firefighters and 10 police officers and at least 5 firefighters also lost their lives while trying to douse the fire, said Chittagong regional police chief Anwar Hossain. 

Hossain further said that the death toll might ascend further as several injured are in critical condition.

"The number of fatalities is expected to rise as some of the injured are in critical condition," Hossain said

As per the preliminary investigation, the fire was most likely caused due to a chemical reaction. Also, the locals have confirmed that there was an explosion as well. 

The police officials said that the fire broke out at around 9 pm followed by an explosion at around midnight.