The Criminal Investigation Department today (June 11, 2022) seized the digital video recorder (DVR) ---that stores CCTV footage on a hard disk --from BM Container Depot Limited where a devastating fire broke out, killing 45 people.

The BM Container at Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram was monitored with 118 CCTV cameras. The data from these cameras were stored on seven digital video recorders (DVRs) machines, reports our Chattogram staff correspondent quoting sources at Chattogram CID.

An investigation team led by CID Inspector Mohammad Sharif visited the damaged IT room inside the container depot this morning. The entire container depot's IT system and CCTV cameras were controlled from that office, said the sources.

The IT room of the depot was completely destroyed due to the explosion.

The CID team confiscated the DVR machines that stored the CCTV data. It is not sure whether any information could be found from the DVR machines, said a CID official.

When contacted, Shanewaz Khaled, superintendent of police at CID Chattogram, said Sitakunda Police Station was investigating the incident while the CID was assisting them in the investigation.

As part of the investigation, a team from CID went to the depot and collected some digital samples and evidence from the spot, he said, adding, that those will be analysed and tested for the sake of investigation.

Meanwhile, debris removal and clearing work was going on inside the container depot. Depot authorities were removing those with their manpower and equipment.

Authorities said it will take some time to remove the debris and make it fully operational. Representatives of clearing and forwarding (C&F) and shipping companies were crowding outside the depot.

When contacted, Maj (retd) Shamsul Haider Siddique, general manager of BM Container Depot, said all the footage from 118 cameras have been destroyed due to the blast.

"We have tried to recover the evidence as those are very vital to know the reason for the origin of fire but could not," he said, adding, "The team from CID seized the DVR machines today. If they could recover some evidence from the machines, it would be helpful for investigation."

Shamsul said the cheque of compensation that the company pledged for the deceased and injured people in the blast would be distributed on Tuesday through the deputy commissioner of Chattogram.

Meanwhile, a total of 98 injured people in the blast were undergoing treatment in different hospitals in Dhaka and Chattogram, according to sources in Chattogram Civil Surgeon Office.