Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said inquiry will reveal whether Chattogram container depot fire is an accident or sabotage.

“Such a major incident has occurred. It needs to be investigated into – whether it is really an accident or an act of sabotage,” Hasan Mahmud said while talking to media this afternoon.

In response to a query, the information minister said, “There is no scope to investigate an accident before it occurs.  Whether they (depot authorities) had all the compliances will definitely be looked into.” 

“If they didn’t fully comply, the authorities will be responsible. If this incident occurred even after all the compliances in place, then it will be revealed during investigation,” he said.

The fire broke out at 9:30pm yesterday at the container depot in Sheetalpur under Sitakunda in Chattogram. The fire at the depot was not completely under control even after nearly 17 hours of efforts.  A total of 40 people have died in the incident so far.