Shipping Corporation to provide Tk1.2cr aid to families of fire victims from Banglar Jyoti, Banglar Shourabh

The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) is set to provide financial assistance to the families of four cadets and sailors who died in separate fire incidents on its vessels MT Banglar Jyoti and MT Banglar Shourabh last year.

The assistance will be disbursed at a programme scheduled for tomorrow (20 May) at the BSC premises, according to a press release.

Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and chairman of the BSC Board of Directors, is expected to attend the event as the chief guest. Mohammad Yousuf, senior secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, is scheduled to be present as the special guest.

During the programme, prayers will be offered for the departed souls, and condolences will be extended to the bereaved families.

The fire on MT Banglar Jyoti occurred on 30 September, while the incident on MT Banglar Shourabh took place on 5 October. Both incidents resulted in the deaths of a total of four personnel from the corporation.

The BSC had previously provided initial assistance of Tk50,000 to each of the families and supported funeral arrangements.

At the upcoming programme, the families of the four deceased individuals will each receive Tk30 lakh, totalling Tk1.2 crore in financial assistance.

The BSC, in the press release, noted that this amount is significantly higher than the standard level of such support.

The initiative taken by BSC to provide this assistance has been appreciated at all levels, including by the government, the release states.

BSC further stated that it remains committed to the welfare and development of its officers and employees, and to operating in compliance with both domestic and international regulations.

The organisation reiterated its dedication to supporting national development by offering shipping services of international standard and contributing to the growth of Bangladesh's maritime sector.