21 Bangladesh Navy men injured in Beirut blasts

As many as 21 members of Bangladesh Navy sustained injuries in two explosions that ripped through Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday.

Among the injured, one sustained critical injury and has been admitted to American University of Beirut Medical Centre (AUBMC).

The others were admitted to Hammoud hospital after primary treatment by UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). The crews were either airlifted or shifted by ambulance following the incident, according to the Navy.

The 20 others are out of danger now, but they are receiving treatment under the supervision of UNIFIL.

According to the Navy, its crew were aboard the ship BNS Bijoy as they were carrying out duties under maritime task force of United Nations peacekeeping mission.

Bangladesh Navy is now assessing damages to the ship and keeping constant contact with UNIFIL headquarters and Bangladesh embassy in Beirut in this regard. The UNIFIL head of mission and force commander along with maritime taskforce commander have been monitoring the overall condition.

Bangladesh ambassador in Lebanon, Jahangir Al Mustahidur Rahman, visited BNS Bijoy immediately after the explosions and took steps for proper treatment of the injured crews.

Some 78 people were killed and about 4,000 injured in the deadly blasts in port warehouses near central Beirut.