A significant fire sparked by an explosion at a private container depot in southeastern Bangladesh has killed at least 16 people and injured more than 450, officials reported on Sunday.

Saturday night, a fire broke out at the BM Container Depot in Kadamrasul, Sitakunda Upazila, Chittagong.

The Daily Star stated that at least 16 individuals perished in the fire and subsequent explosions at the depot, while hundreds of people, including police officers and firefighters, suffered burn injuries.

Over 450 individuals were injured in this incident. At least 350 of them are hospitalized at CMCH, "The Dhaka Tribune stated Istakul Islam, head of the Health &Service Department at Red Crescent Youth Chittagong.

"According to Islam, the death toll may be higher at other hospitals.

According to authorities from the fire department, three firefighters were also killed in the event.

Not yet known where the identities of the deceased are.

Saturday evening, at approximately 9:00 p.m., according to Sub-Inspector Nurul Alam of the Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) Police Outpost, a fire broke out at the container depot.

As units of the Fire Department sought to extinguish it, an explosion occurred, and the blaze then spread.

Initially, the container depot fire was assumed to have been caused by chemicals, Nurul stated, according to the newspaper.

At 11:45 p.m., there was a big explosion, and the fire spread from one container to another due to the presence of chemicals in one of the containers.

According to the report, the explosion shook the neighborhood and smashed the windows of surrounding residences.

Md Faruk Hossain Sikdar, assistant director of the Chittagong Fire Service and Civil Defence, stated, "Around 19 firefighting units are working to douse the blaze and six ambulances are also available on the spot."

The Director of the BM Container Depot, Mujibur Rahman, stated that the cause of the fire remained unclear. The Daily Star said, "But I think the fire started from the container,"

"Arrangements are being made to guarantee that the injured receive the most effective treatment. The entire cost of therapy will be covered by us. Those harmed in the accident will receive the highest possible compensation "Rahman said.

"In addition, we will take responsibility for all the families of all the victims," he said.

Since May 2011, BM Container Depot has started functioning as an inland container depot.